What happened
The aircraft was conducting an instrument or visual approach toward the west end of a private airstrip. The runway at this location measured 1,200 feet in length and was aligned east-west. During the final segment of the approach, just before the wheels touched the pavement, the pilot observed a tailwind component. Deciding that conditions were unsafe for landing, the pilot elected to execute a go-around maneuver.
The pilot applied power and pitched up to climb away from the runway environment. The aircraft successfully cleared trees at the end of the airstrip, which stood approximately 50 to 60 feet high. However, shortly after passing the tree line, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall. Loss of lift caused the aircraft to descend rapidly into smaller trees located just beyond the initial obstacle clearance zone.
The investigation
Post-accident examination focused on the operational sequence and pilot actions. The airstrip infrastructure was noted as limited in length, providing minimal margin for error during low-altitude maneuvers. The presence of tall vegetation at the runway threshold created a significant obstacle clearance requirement for any missed approach or go-around initiated late in the landing phase.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the stall that occurred during the initial climb-out after the go-around. Contributing to the event was the decision to initiate the go-around just prior to touchdown while a tailwind was present, which likely reduced groundspeed and increased the distance required to accelerate to a safe climb speed. The pilot later acknowledged that maintaining higher airspeeds throughout the approach could have prevented the loss of control.
Safety message
Pilots should be aware that go-arounds initiated at low altitudes with tailwinds require careful energy management. Ensuring adequate airspeed before committing to a climb is critical to avoiding stalls in confined areas.