What happened
A flight instructor and the aircraft owner had arrived at the airfield to collect passengers. At the time of the incident, the owner was acting as the pilot in command while receiving instruction from the instructor, as the owner lacked a multiengine rating. After boarding five passengers—two adults and three children—the aircraft prepared for departure.
The runway, measuring 4,500 feet in length, was covered in a layer of slush and snow approximately 2.5 to 3 inches deep. During the takeoff roll, the pilot attempted to gain enough speed to lift off, but the heavy accumulation of snow prevented the aircraft from becoming airborne. The pilot subsequently decided to abort the takeoff at an estimated speed of 100 mph. Due to a complete lack of braking effectiveness on the slippery surface, the aircraft failed to stop and exited the runway at the far end.
While the exact weight of the cargo was not recorded immediately following the event because heavy luggage was removed prior to weighing, calculations based on official records and the aircraft's weight and balance documentation suggest a takeoff weight of 7,856 pounds. This figure represents an overload, as it exceeded the published maximum takeoff weight of 7,560 pounds for this aircraft type.
Findings
The investigation identified that the flight instructor failed to recognize that the runway conditions were unsafe for departure and did not initiate an abort quickly enough. The incident was further compounded by the fact that the aircraft's weight exceeded its structural limits and the presence of significant snow on the runway surface.