What happened
During an attempted departure from runway 18 at Chicago-Merrill C. Meig Airport, the aircraft failed to achieve sufficient speed for takeoff. The plane overran the end of the runway and plunged into Lake Michigan, eventually settling in water approximately 25 feet deep, roughly 300 feet beyond the runway threshold.
The accident resulted in two fatalities, including the pilot and one passenger, while four other occupants sustained serious injuries during the impact.
Findings
Investigations determined that the primary factor in the accident was the failure of the flightcrew to release the parking brake prior to beginning the takeoff roll. This oversight created substantial drag from the wheels and brakes, which also induced a nosedown pitching moment. These combined forces prevented the aircraft from accelerating properly or rotating for liftoff. Additionally, the investigation noted that the operator lacked sufficient checklist procedures to ensure that parking brakes were properly released during pre-takeoff preparations.