What happened
The accident occurred during an attempted landing at Boulder City under windy conditions. The pilot was operating in winds ranging from 20 to 30 knots when the aircraft bounced upon touchdown. Following this bounce, the pilot initiated a go-around maneuver.
Rather than climbing into the wind as standard procedure might suggest, the pilot turned downwind while still at low altitude. During this phase of flight, the aircraft encountered overhead wires and utility poles. In an effort to avoid striking the power lines by passing underneath them, the pilot lost sufficient altitude or control margin, resulting in a collision with the rising terrain.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path during the go-around and the specific maneuvers executed to avoid obstacles. The primary finding was that the decision to turn downwind at low altitude, combined with the attempt to pass under power lines, led directly to the loss of controlled flight and subsequent impact with the ground.
Findings
The critical factors contributing to this accident were the low altitude during the go-around and the downwind turn. The pilot's attempt to avoid wires by going under them left insufficient clearance for the rising terrain. The weather conditions, specifically the 20-30 knot winds, likely contributed to the initial bounce and the difficulty in maintaining precise control during the low-altitude maneuver.
Safety message
Pilots should be aware that go-arounds at low altitude require immediate attention to climb performance and wind direction. Turning downwind in such conditions can significantly reduce airspeed and altitude retention, especially when avoiding obstacles like power lines.