Accident Overview
An airplane was loaded more than 500 pounds (approximately 12 percent) over its certificated maximum gross weight. During takeoff from a 3,500-foot-long runway, the airplane lifted off about one-half to two-thirds down the runway length. The pilot retracted the landing gear and flaps before reaching the manufacturer's recommended retraction speeds. Subsequently, the airplane was unable to gain sufficient altitude and impacted trees and a house located beyond the departure end of the runway.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the wreckage and recorded non-volatile memory revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical abnormalities.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official probable cause was the overweight condition of the airplane due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, resulting in degraded climb performance. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's retraction of the flaps prior to reaching the manufacturer's recommended flap retraction speed.