Flight Preparation
The pilot-in-command (PIC), who was also the airplane owner, occupied the right front seat, while the prospective buyer sat in the left front seat. Before the landing approach, the pilots circled the airport to confirm the wind sock position and ensure that the 2,400-foot grass runway was clear of obstructions. A pattern entry was then made for landing to the south.
Approach and Go-Around
On final approach, the pilots observed that the airplane was low on the approach. The left-seat pilot added power. Subsequently, the airplane was too far down the runway and the airspeed was too fast for a normal landing. The PIC called for a go-around, and the left-seat pilot added full power.
The Accident Sequence
The airplane flew in ground effect, approximately 5 feet above ground level (AGL), for several hundred feet. It then climbed to about 20 feet AGL. At that point, the left-seat pilot retracted the landing gear, and the PIC raised the flaps. The airplane then settled to between 5 and 10 feet AGL and impacted a fence and trees.
Post-Accident Inspection
During a post-accident compression check of the engine, the prospective buyer and his mechanic discovered that the #2 intake valve was leaking.