Accident Details
A student pilot was conducting takeoff and landing practice at an airport with a unidirectional runway. The airport's standard procedure was to take off downhill on Runway 18 and land uphill on Runway 36. Pilots familiar with the airport reported that go-arounds were not performed on Runway 36 because the terrain and trees rise sharply beyond the runway.
Witnesses observed the aircraft during an approach to Runway 36 when the pilot began a go-around. At that point, the plane was approximately halfway along the 3,390-foot runway and was still 30 to 40 feet above the ground. The aircraft continued in a nose-high attitude near stall speed, but did not gain significant clearance above the surface. The right wing struck a pine tree, and the plane subsequently crashed.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed that the density altitude at the time was about 4,600 feet. The runway had a 5-degree upslope to the north. No other factors were cited in the source.