What happened
During a takeoff on an afternoon with extreme heat, an aircraft carrying seven passengers and one pilot entered its initial climb phase. Shortly after leaving the runway, observers noted a puff of black smoke emerging from the right engine. The aircraft then executed a left-hand turn at low altitude and low airspeed, crossing the departure end of the runway.
Following this maneuver, the aircraft type experienced a rapid roll to the left. It struck the ground in a nearly flat attitude with a high rate of descent. The momentum of the impact caused the wreckage to slide or bounce approximately 70 feet before the vehicle came to a halt and caught fire. The accident resulted in eight fatalities.
Findings
An investigation into the wreckage, which included detailed teardowns of both engines, found no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction prior to the impact. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was approximately 80 lbs under its maximum design gross weight, though the center of gravity was calculated to be 1.45 inches behind the rear limit. Environmental conditions were significant, with a temperature of 101 degrees and a density altitude of roughly 4,000 feet.
Official findings identified several contributing factors regarding the loss of control. The investigation concluded that the pilot failed to maintain minimum controllable airspeed (VMC) during the emergency turn, leading to an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with the terrain.