My comment was in agreement with Foxcotte - and making reference to being heavy - not overweight - would have made the EFATO (Engine Failure After Take-Off) even more challenging.
Why? Weight doesn't affect glide range. Wouldn't have made a difference one way or the other.
He wasn't overweight or too heavy for the airstrip. He didn't hit the trees. He lost power for reasons no one will probably ever know, got the airplane down and the impact was survivable. Unfortunately the fire wasn't.