What happened
During the takeoff phase at Charlotte Amalie Airport, an aircraft experienced significant issues maintaining altitude. Shortly after liftoff, the plane entered a stall and subsequently impacted the ocean. The accident resulted in eight fatalities, including the pilot and seven passengers, while four other passengers sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the impact.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified that the pilot chose an incorrect runway given the prevailing wind conditions and did not cancel the takeoff sequence in time. Several contributing elements were noted, including high winds gusting up to 25 knots and an improper center of gravity caused by how the aircraft was loaded.