What happened
During the initial stages of the takeoff roll, the crew encountered significantly reduced visibility caused by falling snow reflecting the glare from the aircraft's landing lights. During this period, the aircraft drifted approximately 10 to 15 degrees toward the left side of the runway. The flight crew was reportedly unaware of this lateral deviation as it occurred.
After traveling roughly 750 feet along the takeoff path, the plane exited the northern edge of the runway. Despite the excursion, the takeoff attempt was continued in an effort to reach necessary speeds; however, the aircraft failed to achieve sufficient velocity. The vessel proceeded through a sequence of impacts before coming to a stop approximately 3,150 feet from the beginning of the runway. The final position of the wreckage was located about 700 feet before the base of a steep hill.
There were no injuries among the 9 occupants on board. While all passengers and crew survived, the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
The incident was driven by a loss of directional control while operating from an unlit airfield at night.