Accident Details
The accident occurred when the aircraft struck trees at the departure end of the runway during a go-around maneuver. The pilot had been practicing approaches and go-arounds without landing on the airstrip located on his ranch. The airstrip was 800 feet in length. Weather conditions included a 6-knot quartering tailwind, which affected the approach path.
On the third approach, the pilot noted that his approach was too far down the runway. Consequently, he decided to execute a go-around. He added power but reported that the expected engine response did not occur. In his own words, "The power was not there." The aircraft began to "mush," indicating a lack of lift and airspeed. The pilot attempted to recover by pushing the stick forward in an effort to increase airspeed and regain controlled flight, but the maneuver was unsuccessful. The aircraft struck trees at an altitude of approximately 10 feet above ground level.
Pilot's Statement
The pilot provided a detailed account in the accident report. He described the sequence of events leading to the impact. He emphasized that the power addition did not produce sufficient thrust. He also stated that pushing the stick forward did not result in the aircraft flying.
Mechanical Evaluation
In the report form, under the section titled "Mechanical Malfunction Failure," the pilot checked the box "no," indicating that no mechanical malfunction was identified as a factor in the accident.