Flight Details
The flight instructor was briefed about winds in the local area, which were approximately 13 knots with gusts up to 21 knots. The instructor and a student pilot subsequently departed for a training flight.
The Incident
On short final for his third landing, the student pilot reported 65 knots on the airspeed indicator, 30 degrees of flaps set, and the carburetor heat on. As the student flared the airplane, a gust of wind lifted the right wing. The instructor then took control of the airplane.
The instructor was unable to align the airplane with the runway. He added full power, did not adjust the flaps or carburetor heat, and executed a go-around. When power was added, the nose of the airplane pulled more to the left, and the ground track was in line with two hangars. The instructor avoided the hangars, but the airplane was then heading toward a small field.
Unable to maintain level flight, the instructor lowered the nose of the airplane in an attempt to gain airspeed. The airplane continued to descend, and the instructor stated that 'he flared as much as possible to soften the touchdown (impact).'
Aircraft Manual Guidance
According to the information manual for the aircraft, in a balked landing (go-around) climb, the flap setting should be reduced to 20 degrees immediately after full power is applied. If obstacles must be cleared during the go-around climb, the wing flap setting should be reduced to 10 degrees and a safe airspeed maintained until the obstacles are cleared. After clearing any obstacles, the flaps may be retracted as the airplane accelerates to the normal flaps-up climb speed.