Incident Overview
At 1743 hours, after a standard engine start, the aircraft taxied to runway 33 and was cleared for takeoff and departure for Norwich. The pilot reported that initial takeoff acceleration appeared normal and all engine power instruments indicated in the green range.
Sequence of Events
When the indicated airspeed reached 100 knots, the pilot raised the nose and the aircraft lifted off the runway. However, no further increase in airspeed occurred. The pilot retracted the landing gear and lowered the nose in an attempt to gain more airspeed. At that point, airspeed had reduced to 90 knots, and the pilot felt vibration from the elevators.
Emergency Landing
Realizing that the aircraft would neither climb nor accelerate, the pilot selected what he believed to be a clear area and executed a crash landing with the landing gear retracted.
Injuries
All 12 occupants sustained injuries, three of them serious.