Incident Overview
A pilot reported that his airplane contacted bushes and rising terrain during an attempted go-around after a short field approach. The pilot had never landed on an actual short-field runway, despite being familiar with the aircraft.
Approach and Attempted Landing
The airport's runway 31 is 2,500 feet long with a 300-foot displaced threshold, and trees are present in the approach path. The pilot flew over the airport twice and became "apprehensive" about landing. He followed the specified right-hand traffic pattern and employed a short field approach procedure, with full wing flaps and an approach speed of 65 knots.
On short final, the pilot noted that the airplane's nose was high, limiting visibility of the runway. The setting sun was approximately 30 degrees left of the airplane's nose. The pilot did not recall whether the airplane touched down but stated he was certain he entered ground effect. The airplane then drifted over the left side of the runway.
Go-Around and Impact
Rather than attempting to redirect the airplane's course, the pilot applied full engine power to go around. Seconds after engine power increased, the airplane impacted rising terrain and bushes. The pilot wrote that he realized he should have initiated the go-around sooner. He did not report any mechanical malfunction with the airplane.
Final Position
The airport manager reported that the airplane came to rest about 100 feet west of the runway's left edge and about 300 feet northwest of the runway's departure end, after impacting bushes and terrain.