On May 17, 1986, a Piper PA-38 (registration N25737) operated by Carey E. Slay was involved in an aviation accident near Enterprise, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to clear the tree line during an attempted go-around after veering off the runway, which resulted in a collision with trees and a ditch. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a landing attempt on runway 23, the aircraft veered left after an aborted go-around, striking a tree line and ditch with substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical issues.
What happened
The incident occurred during the final phase of a landing operation on runway 23. As the aircraft touched down, it began to drift toward the left side of the paved surface. Recognizing the deviation from the centerline, the pilot elected to abort the landing and initiate a go-around procedure.
To gain altitude and clear the departure end of the runway, the pilot applied full engine power. Despite this effort, the aircraft was unable to climb sufficiently to clear a line of trees situated near the end of the runway. The aircraft subsequently collided with the tree line and then struck a nearby ditch. This sequence of events resulted in substantial structural damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators reviewed the operational details provided by the pilot. The pilot explicitly stated that there were no reported malfunctions or mechanical failures with the aircraft prior to or during the incident. No other mechanical issues were identified as contributing factors based on the available information.
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to clear the tree line during an attempted go-around after veering off the runway, which resulted in a collision with trees and a ditch.