Accident Details
A private pilot with 80 hours of flight time was conducting a personal cross-country flight in a Cessna 172N. The landing was at an airport with an elevation of 7,000 feet mean sea level, where the density altitude was reported as 9,083 feet.
During the landing touchdown, the airplane bounced and ballooned. The pilot added power in an attempt to soften the landing, but the airplane ballooned further. At that point, the pilot decided to perform a go-around. He applied full power and began climbing. The stall warning activated, so he reduced the angle of attack.
Following the balked landing procedure, the pilot removed the first notch of flaps. The airplane then started settling back down quickly. He returned the flaps to their previous setting, but the descent was not arrested.
Wind Gust and Runway Excursion
About the same time, the airplane was struck by a wind gust from the right, pushing the plane left. The pilot attempted to correct, but the airplane was blown off the runway, colliding with a runway length remaining sign and subsequently a ditch. The reported wind was 220 degrees at 6 knots.
Pilot Report and Aircraft Condition
The pilot reported that he was number three to land and was on a long final approach with full flaps. He stated that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane.