What happened
The aircraft was engaged in a landing approach when the pilot determined that excessive runway usage necessitated a go-around maneuver. Upon initiating the climb, full power was applied; however, the aircraft failed to achieve sufficient altitude to clear the surrounding terrain. Both wings struck trees during the ascent before the aircraft ultimately stalled and impacted the ground. The pilot maintained wing level control as long as possible until final contact with the earth.
The investigation
Examination of the event revealed that the aircraft was unable to gain adequate height during the critical phase of the go-around. The structural damage indicated significant impact with tree branches prior to the final crash sequence.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the accident. The pilot's decision to execute a go-around after using a substantial portion of the runway left insufficient altitude for recovery. Environmental conditions played a critical role, as wind gusts reaching 25 knots likely degraded climb performance and aircraft handling characteristics during this low-altitude maneuver.
Safety message
Pilots must carefully evaluate runway remaining and aircraft performance capabilities before committing to a go-around. In conditions with strong wind gusts, climb gradients may be significantly reduced, requiring earlier initiation of the maneuver or alternative landing strategies.