What happened
The pilot was conducting a no-wind short-field landing approach when the aircraft encountered an unexpected right crosswind approximately three feet above the ground. The pilot reported that the airspeed had decayed to a point where recovery was no longer possible. In response, power was applied in an attempt to execute a go-around maneuver. However, the aircraft was too close to the terrain to successfully clear the tree line, resulting in a collision.
The investigation
The pilot did not report the accident until June 12, 2000, four days after the incident occurred. No mechanical examination or physical evidence analysis is detailed in the provided source text regarding the aircraft's condition prior to the event.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to maintain adequate airspeed during the final approach phase. The encounter with a right crosswind at a very low altitude critically reduced the margin for error. The decision to initiate a go-around was made too late in the flight path to allow for sufficient climb performance or trajectory adjustment to avoid the trees.
Safety message
Pilots must remain vigilant for sudden wind shifts during critical phases of flight, particularly near the ground. Short-field landing techniques require precise airspeed management to ensure sufficient energy is available for emergency maneuvers such as a go-around if conditions deteriorate unexpectedly.