What happened
During the takeoff roll on runway 18, a private pilot operating a twin-engine airplane utilized roughly 75% of the available runway before lifting off. Once the aircraft achieved a positive rate of climb, the pilot retracted the landing gear and adjusted the pitch to maintain a climb speed of 92 knots. Shortly after this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a reduction in its rate of climb and a noticeable decay in control authority.
In an effort to recover airspeed, the pilot applied maximum throttle to both engines and decreased the angle of attack. While the pilot successfully stopped the descent and stabilized the airspeed, the aircraft subsequently struck a barn and a grassy area before stopping in an upright position. All five occupants (the pilot and four passengers) were able to exit the aircraft without assistance before the vehicle was consumed by fire.
At the time of the incident, the aircraft was operating near its maximum gross weight of 6,000 pounds. The airport features a 4,002-foot asphalt runway with trees located near the departure end of the strip. Local weather observations indicated a temperature of 84 degrees Fahrenheit and a density altitude of 1,860 feet.
Findings
Investigations into the incident revealed that the pilot had not conducted a formal weight and balance assessment prior to departure. Additionally, the pilot was uncertain regarding the total amount of fuel loaded on board and had not calculated the density altitude for the flight. There were no mechanical irregularities reported regarding the aircraft's systems prior to the loss of performance.