Accident Details
Following takeoff from Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport, the airplane failed to gain height, stalled, and crashed near the end of the runway. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire, and both pilots on board were killed. The accident occurred shortly after departure.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a stall during the initial climb following a premature liftoff. Contributing factors included a failure to obtain flying speed, a failure to follow approved procedures, the pilot lacking a DC-3 type rating, and the fact that an airworthiness certificate had not been issued since the aircraft was imported into the United States.