Incident Details
After touching down in a 10 to 15 knot crosswind, the pilot observed the aircraft moving 'quickly to the right.' In response, he decided to abandon the landing and execute a go-around. The aircraft successfully lifted off the runway, but the high density altitude prevented it from outclimbing the surrounding terrain. As the pilot raised the nose of the aircraft in an attempt to maintain a climb over the rising terrain, the aircraft stalled, caught a wing, and cartwheeled.
Sequence of Events
The incident began during the landing phase, where a crosswind component of 10 to 15 knots caused the aircraft to drift rightward after touchdown. The pilot's decision to go-around was immediate. However, once airborne, the performance limitations imposed by high density altitude became apparent. The aircraft could not gain sufficient vertical speed to clear the terrain ahead. In an effort to avoid the terrain, the pilot increased the pitch attitude, which led to an aerodynamic stall. The subsequent loss of lift resulted in a wing drop and a cartwheel motion, indicating a severe loss of control.
Contributing Conditions
The primary environmental challenge was high density altitude, which reduces engine power and lift generation. Additionally, the crosswind condition may have complicated the transition from landing to climb. The pilot's action to raise the nose was a natural response to terrain avoidance, but it exceeded the aircraft's performance capabilities given the density altitude.