N8321Y

On June 23, 1997, about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-30, N8321Y, was destroyed when it collided with trees during an emergency landing on the initial climb after takeoff from the Franklin County State Airport, Highgate, Vermont. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries. No flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Mount Snow Airport (4V8), West Dover, Vermont. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he obtained bundles of newspaper inserts and loaded them in the airplane prior to departure. He loaded the bundles in a location for the best center of gravity and used the airplane's tires to determine if the airplane was safely loaded. The pilot then departed runway 01, a 3,000 foot long, 60 foot wide, dry asphalt runway, destined for 4V8. During the initial takeoff climb, the airplane pitched up excessively. The pilot then reduced engine power to idle on both engines in an attempt to lower the nose and prevent a stall. He then performed an emergency landing off the departure end of the runway, during which the airplane impacted trees.

Several witness reported that they observed the airplane in a normal pitch attitude during the initial takeoff climb, until the airplane approached the departure end of the runway. As the airplane approached the departure end of the runway, the pitch attitude increased excessively to an almost vertical attitude. A reduction of engine power was heard followed by the descent and impact with trees.

Examination of the wreckage by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that the airplane's rear passenger seats were removed and contained 100 bundles of newspaper inserts. A review of the invoice receipt for the newspaper inserts revealed that there were 100 sheets in each bundle, and the total weight was 1,800 pounds. The actual weight of the bundles were taken by the FAA Inspector and determined to be a total of 1,450 pounds. There was no evidence of mechanical malfunctions during the examination, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot also reported that he did not know the exact weight of the bundles, and was unaware that the invoice receipt for the bundles included the weight of 1,800 pounds. He was also aware that the airplane had a useful load of 1,100 pounds. The pilot did not report that he secured the newspaper inserts after he loaded them, and there was no evidence during the examination that they were secured.