What happened
During the takeoff phase of flight, an aircraft struck trees and the terrain while operating in instrument meteorological conditions. The area was experiencing zero visibility caused by dense ground fog at the time of the accident. While there were no eyewitnesses to the event, investigators identified evidence indicating the plane hit a tree measuring approximately 60 feet in height located at the far end of the 3,000-foot runway. It remains unclear if the pilot utilized the full length of the available runway before the impact.
Following the strike with the tree, the aircraft struck the ground while in a left bank, causing the plane to cartwheel. The accident resulted in two fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
Official investigations identified several contributing factors related to environmental conditions and pilot decision-making. The primary issues included severe weather obscuration due to fog and a low cloud ceiling. Additionally, investigators noted errors in judgment by the pilot in command regarding the decision to fly in such conditions, as well as a failure to maintain proper clearance from obstacles.