Event Description
On the day of the accident, the aircraft was executing a takeoff from Alexander Hamilton Airport in Christiansted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. There were 19 passengers and 2 crew members on board. During the takeoff roll and initial climb, the aircraft experienced a loss of control and subsequently struck the ground. The first officer and 7 passengers were killed, while the captain and 12 passengers were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported that shortly after takeoff, the aircraft assumed a nose-high attitude. It then rolled to a left wing-down attitude, followed by a right wing-down attitude, and momentarily pitched down. The aircraft then pitched up again and oscillated between left and right wing-down attitudes while losing altitude. It ultimately struck the ground in a right wing-down attitude.
Aircraft Weight and Balance
Investigation revealed that the gross weight of the aircraft at takeoff was 1,060 pounds over its maximum allowable takeoff weight of 12,499 pounds. Additionally, the center of gravity was approximately 8 inches beyond the maximum allowable rearward limit.
Probable Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the accident was the pilot's loss of control of the aircraft after takeoff due to its grossly overweight and out-of-balance condition, which resulted from misloading by the company's load control personnel. The misloading was attributed to the company's failure to supervise and enforce its loading procedures. The Safety Board also found that inadequate surveillance and enforcement by the FAA were causal factors.