What happened
The aircraft was established on final approach to Runway 32 at approximately 10 feet above ground level when it encountered a helicopter crossing directly in front of its flight path. In response to the immediate collision hazard, the student pilot operating the controls applied additional power and pulled back on the control yoke to initiate a climb.
The instructor pilot subsequently assumed control of the aircraft, attempting to lower the nose and level the wings to recover from the steep pitch attitude. Despite these corrective actions, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude and struck the ground shortly after the evasive maneuver began.
The investigation
Examination of the accident site and the wreckage revealed that the Cessna 152 impacted the terrain during the initial phase of the go-around. The sequence of events indicates that the proximity of the helicopter necessitated an abrupt change in flight path, leaving minimal altitude for recovery.