What happened
The pilot was conducting practice approaches to landings, followed by go-arounds, at an 800-foot long airstrip located on his ranch. During the third approach, the aircraft's position was too far down the runway. As the pilot attempted to execute a go-around by adding power, the aircraft failed to climb effectively, a condition described by the pilot as "mushing." Despite pushing the control stick forward in an attempt to maintain flight, the aircraft struck trees at approximately 10 feet above ground level.
At the time of the accident, the weather conditions included a 6-knot quartering tailwind. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the impact.