What happened
During a takeoff attempt, the pilot operated from a 2,700-foot runway characterized by an uphill gradient and obstacles at the departure end. The pilot chose this specific runway because it was closer to his hangar, despite a longer 8,001-foot runway being available that offered a downhill slope and a headwind. During the takeoff roll, the pilot utilized only 2,301 feet of the available pavement. The aircraft encountered a 3-knot tailwind and an 11-knot crosswind component.
As the aircraft reached rotation speed near the end of the runway, the pilot lifted off to prevent overrunning the pavement and entering a busy roadway. While the aircraft cleared the highway, it struck trees on the opposite side of the road. Witnesses noted the engine appeared to be at full power, but observed the aircraft enter a steep nose-up attitude before settling and rolling slightly to the left. Following the impact with the trees, a large fire erupted. There were 3 occupants on board, including the pilot, his wife, and a dog, all of whom were involved in the crash.
Findings
An investigation of the wreckage showed no signs of engine or mechanical failure prior to the impact. However, calculations involving the recovered cargo, fuel, and occupants indicated that the aircraft was at least 14 pounds over its maximum takeoff weight. Additionally, the center of gravity was found to be outside the permitted forward limit. The investigation concluded that the overweight condition and improper center of gravity caused performance degradation, which, combined with the pilot's choice of a shorter runway with unfavorable wind and obstacles, prevented the aircraft from maintaining enough altitude to clear the trees.