What happened
The flight was conducting dual instruction with a focus on soft field landing techniques at a private grass strip. During the operation, the aircraft made a second approach to the runway. As part of the maneuver, the student pilot attempted to execute a go-around. To clear nearby powerlines, the student pilot pulled back on the controls sharply, initiating a steep climb.
This aggressive input caused the aircraft to exceed its critical angle of attack, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. The loss of lift led to a rapid descent. The aircraft pitched downward and struck the ground on its nose gear. Upon impact, the force caused the airframe to flip over, coming to rest in an inverted position.
The investigation
Examination of the flight operations revealed that the stall occurred during the transition from approach to climb. The steep pullup executed by the student pilot was identified as the primary factor leading to the loss of control. The aircraft's configuration and airspeed at the time of the maneuver were insufficient to sustain level or climbing flight after such a high pitch attitude.
Findings
The accident sequence is attributed to the student pilot's decision to perform a steep pullup to avoid obstacles without maintaining adequate airspeed. This action exceeded the aircraft's performance capabilities, leading to a stall and subsequent ground impact. The lack of sufficient altitude or speed management during the go-around attempt was the critical error.
Safety message
Pilots practicing soft field landings must ensure that go-around procedures are executed with careful attention to airspeed and pitch attitude. Clearing obstacles should be done within the aircraft's performance limits to avoid stalling. Proper energy management is essential during low-altitude maneuvers near powerlines or other hazards.