Accident Overview
On an evening at Oakland-Troy Airport in Troy, Michigan, a corporate aircraft collided with trees during the initial takeoff climb from runway 27. The accident occurred under conditions of recent snowfall and a snowy runway.
Witness and Pilot Reports
A witness reported that there was 5 inches of snow on the runway and that it was snowing at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, the aircraft yawed and then veered right. Upon correcting this condition, the left wing struck the ground.
Investigation Findings
Investigation revealed that approximately 3 to 5 inches of snow had fallen at the airport during the day, and the snow had not been removed from the runway that evening. When the right engine was tested, a small leak was discovered at the air intake manifold. The left engine was severely damaged by fire and could not be tested. All four occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable Cause
The official findings attributed the accident to a loss of control in flight during the takeoff-initial climb phase. Contributing factors included an undetermined aircraft takeoff capability, the pilot not attaining a proper climb rate, overconfidence in the aircraft's ability, turbulence from terrain conditions, and the airport's failure to remove snow from the runway.