Accident Details
A solo student pilot was practicing touch and go landings. The sequence involved multiple takeoffs and landings on the same runway. During the fifth landing, a gust of wind lifted the left wing, causing the airplane to drift to the right. In response, the pilot initiated a go-around.
Flap Retraction
Instead of following the standard go-around procedure, the pilot retracted the flaps from the landing setting of 20 degrees directly to 0 degrees in one continuous motion. The airplane then lost altitude and collided with the ground.
Pilot's Account
The student reported no mechanical issues with the aircraft. He acknowledged that the continuous retraction of the flaps was an error.
Manufacturer's Procedure
According to the Cessna Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), the correct go-around flap retraction sequence is: first, retract flaps to 20 degrees (or to the takeoff setting) immediately; after clearing all obstacles, retract to 10 degrees; finally, after achieving a safe altitude and 60 knots indicated airspeed, retract to 0 degrees.