So far all we know is that the engine sputtered on takeoff, YES.  An attempt was made to turn back to the airport--MAYBE NOT!  This is NOT a definite. 

Grease,

 

Fine.  I do want to know more about the sputtering engine.  Did it reach full power on the take off run?  Was there a contaminant that reached the engine just at rotation?  In other words, what was the physical failure that led to the rest?  Should the takeoff been aborted?

 

Indeed, David may have been maneuvering to avoid buildings (thus people) on the ground.  We all know that these things stop flying when they go too slow.

 

Below is a photo of runway 6/24 at Somerset (Airnav, 2G9) taken from the 24 end (opposite the takeoff direction).  The road to the right (281) is somewhat parallel to the runway (4600 feet, 2272 MSL) and could have been a potential set down target after lift off from 06.

 

 

 

Yes, it was a sad, sad day............

 

Grayhawk

 

PS the satellite view of the region was too fuzzy.  Try zillow.com and look about 2 mi NE of Somerset, PA.