Approach and Landing
The pilot of the aircraft reported that instead of using the customary 80-knot approach speed, he used 110 knots with 30 degrees of flaps. On short final, the pilot noted he was still high but decided to land anyway. He forced the aircraft onto the runway, causing it to begin porpoising.
Go-Around and Impact
Unable to recover from the porpoising, the pilot executed a go-around. During this maneuver, he inadvertently retracted the flaps to 0 degrees instead of the intended 10 degrees. The aircraft then mushed into brush in a nose-high attitude.
Pilot Experience
The pilot later stated that he had no previous experience landing on airports atop mesas. Additionally, he had not practiced go-around procedures since obtaining his certificate almost two years before the incident.
Runway Characteristics
Runway 3 has a 1.9% upward slope. According to airport personnel, because of this runway's slope, it is generally used even when slight tailwind conditions exist.