On August 7, 1988, a Bellanca 7ECA (registration N57430) was involved in an aviation accident near Kingsland, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's decision to cut power during a go-around due to proximity to a hangar, which resulted in the aircraft leaving the runway and colliding with other aircraft and a structure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A tail-dragger aircraft touched down on the left main gear, then attempted a go-around before cutting power due to proximity to a hangar. The plane veered off the runway and collided with three parked airplanes and the hangar.
What happened
The pilot initiated a landing in a tail-dragger aircraft. Upon touchdown, the left main gear contacted the pavement first, followed shortly by the right main gear. Recognizing the situation, the pilot applied power to execute a go-around maneuver.
However, during the initial climb phase, the pilot decided to terminate the go-around. He cited the extreme proximity of the aircraft to a nearby hangar as the primary reason for cutting off the engine power. The loss of thrust resulted in the airplane descending and drifting toward the left side of the runway environment.
The aircraft departed the paved surface on the left side and continued its trajectory until it impacted three other parked airplanes, including an ultralight, as well as the hangar structure itself.
Probable cause
the pilot's decision to cut power during a go-around due to proximity to a hangar, which resulted in the aircraft leaving the runway and colliding with other aircraft and a structure