Solo Student Pilot Bounces Landing, Strikes Trees During Go-Around (N5120D)

Accident Summary

A solo student pilot was practicing landings. During one landing attempt, the airplane dropped in and bounced after touchdown. The pilot reported that he was unable to return the airplane to the runway surface before the halfway point of the 3,002‑foot strip. He therefore decided to execute a go‑around. The go‑around was not successful, as the airplane struck trees located beyond the departure end of the runway. The student pilot, who had accumulated 70 total flight hours, with about 40 hours in the accident make and model, stated that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure involved in the accident.

Post‑Accident Examination

An FAA inspector examined the airplane following the accident. The examination focused on the settings of various controls and systems. The inspector found that the airplane’s flaps were extended to an angle of approximately 30 to 32 degrees. The aircraft’s published balked landing procedure specifies that when initiating a balked landing, the flaps should be set to 20 degrees immediately. Once a positive climb is established and until obstacles are cleared, the flaps should be further reduced to 10 degrees. The flap setting observed after the accident (30‑32 degrees) differs from these procedural requirements. The student pilot’s account did not mention any difficulties with the flap control system or any other mechanical anomalies.