What happened
The incident occurred while a private pilot was conducting a simulated engine-out approach toward a grass farm field. After initiating the approach, the pilot executed a go-around maneuver. As the aircraft climbed and turned back toward the field, it encountered a gust of wind near the perimeter of the property.
During this phase of flight, the nose gear struck the top two strands of a barbed wire fence. The impact caused the aircraft to come to an immediate stop. The pilot later reported that there was a slight tailwind present during the maneuver. He acknowledged that he allowed the aircraft to lose too much airspeed to safely abort the simulation.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanics of the collision and the pilot's account of the flight dynamics. Examination confirmed that the nose gear had snagged the barbed wire fence at the field's edge. No mechanical failures of the aircraft were identified as contributing factors prior to the impact.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the accident. The primary issue was loss of airspeed during the go-around maneuver. The pilot failed to maintain sufficient energy to clear the obstacle while dealing with gusty wind conditions and a slight tailwind. The aircraft type involved was a single-engine piston aircraft. The phase of flight was classified as approach and landing. No injuries were reported, and the occupants were not injured.
Safety message
Pilots should be aware that simulated engine-out approaches require careful energy management. Maintaining adequate airspeed during go-arounds is critical, especially when environmental factors such as wind gusts or tailwinds are present. Pilots must ensure they have sufficient altitude and speed to clear obstacles like fences before attempting to return to the runway or field.