On April 26, 1997, a Piper PA-22-150 (registration N3126Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Holland, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/mush and subsequent impact with trees and then a residence. A related factor was turbulence. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a go-around after an aborted landing, an airplane experienced turbulence, failed to climb, struck trees, and impacted a garage roof. No pre-existing anomalies were found during post-accident examination.
Incident Overview
A passenger reported that during the flare and touchdown, the airplane encountered considerable turbulence as it approached the runway. The aircraft traveled down the runway for a considerable distance without landing before the pilot decided to initiate a go-around. As the airplane passed the end of the runway, the passenger felt the tail was low and observed the plane seemed to float just over the tops of trees with a wiggling motion. The pilot stated that the airplane would not climb, and the aircraft was barely clearing the trees. Subsequently, the left wing dropped, the airplane struck trees, and impacted into a garage roof.
Pilot Background
Prior to the flight, the pilot informed one passenger that he had never flown the airplane with a passenger in the rear seat, which was the configuration on this flight.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the airplane and its engine revealed no pre-existing anomalies.
Key Observations
The go-around was initiated after a prolonged flare and touchdown attempt.
Turbulence was noted during the approach.
The aircraft struggled to climb and maintain altitude after the go-around.
Impact occurred after the aircraft struck trees and a garage roof.
No mechanical or engine issues were identified after the accident.