What happened
During a cross-country flight at night, the pilot and a passenger were operating under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with a filed VFR flight plan. The pilot was in the process of demonstrating a VOR approach to the passenger when the Cessna (type not specified in source) touched down on the runway.
Upon touchdown, the pilot identified a slight tailwind and noted that the runway surface was slippery. In response, the pilot applied full power to execute a go-around. During the initial climb, the pilot retracted the flaps and landing gear. As the aircraft began to climb, the pilot initiated a slight left turn toward an unlit area of snow-covered terrain. The airplane subsequently collided with the terrain and a tree, which caused the aircraft to swerve to the right. The aircraft came to rest in the snow, sustaining damage to the fuselage, engine, propellers, and the right wing. There were no fatalities reported.
Findings
The investigation determined that the pilot's flight path toward unlit terrain during the climb phase led to the collision with trees and the ground.