What happened
The aircraft departed the departure end of the runway during a nighttime landing operation and subsequently nosed over. During the final phase of the approach, the pilot initiated power reduction for the flare maneuver. At this point, the aircraft appeared to gain airspeed rather than settle as expected. The pilot decided to execute a go-around and applied full power.
However, upon observing the proximity of the runway end and the approaching tree line, the pilot determined that continuing the climb was unsafe. Consequently, the decision was made to abort the go-around attempt. The aircraft continued forward, crossing a wash located at the end of the runway before coming to rest in an inverted position.
The investigation
The primary mechanical finding centers on the sequence of flight control inputs during the critical landing phase. The pilot reported that the aircraft's airspeed behavior during the flare was unexpected, contributing to the decision to initiate a go-around. The subsequent inability to complete the climb due to terrain constraints led to the runway excursion.
Findings
The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to abort a go-around maneuver after applying full power, resulting in the aircraft departing the paved surface and crossing a wash at the end of the runway. Contributing factors included the unexpected airspeed gain during the flare and the proximity of terrain obstacles.
Safety message
Pilots should carefully evaluate the feasibility of a go-around before committing to full power, particularly when runway length and surrounding terrain limit climb performance options. An unexpected airspeed increase during flare requires prompt and decisive action to ensure safe obstacle clearance.