Accident Overview
The pilot/owner and a flight instructor flew in to pick up passengers. The owner, who was not multiengine rated, was receiving instruction from the instructor. After the airplane was fueled, two adults and three children boarded about one hour later. The owner occupied the left seat as the flying pilot.
Takeoff and Abort
The owner stated that the 4,500-foot-long runway was covered with 2 1/2 to 3 inches of snow and slush. During the takeoff roll, he reported, "The snow was so bad we could not get off the ground..." The pilot estimated that he aborted the takeoff at 100 mph, but the braking action was zero, and the airplane went off the end of the runway.
Passenger and Weight Information
According to a witness, the five passengers arrived with "lots of heavy bags." After the accident, the baggage was removed before it could be weighed. An estimated airplane takeoff weight of 7,856 pounds was computed without baggage, based on the airplane weight and balance form, the police report, and FAA records. The Pilot's Operating Handbook listed the maximum takeoff weight as 7,560 pounds.
Probable Cause
The official findings stated that the probable cause was the flight instructor's failure to identify an unsafe runway condition and his delay in aborting the takeoff. Contributing factors were the aircraft's maximum takeoff weight being exceeded and a snow-covered runway.