What happened
During cruise flight, the pilot of a private aircraft noticed that the onboard carbon monoxide detector had turned black. Seeking to address the situation, the pilot decided to land in a tundra-covered area approximately 1,000 feet in length, a location previously used for landings.
The pilot made an initial landing attempt but elected to perform a go-around. During a second landing attempt, the aircraft touched down with excessive speed. In response, the pilot aborted the landing and applied full power. The aircraft climbed to an altitude of between 15 and 20 feet above the ground. As the pilot initiated a slight right turn, the airplane settled into the ground.
The impact caused the landing gear to collapse, resulting in damage to the fuselage and wings. At the time of the event, the weather consisted of light and variable winds.
Findings
- The pilot experienced an indication of carbon monoxide presence via a black detector.
- The aircraft was traveling at too high a speed during the second landing attempt.
- The aircraft settled to the ground during a low-altitude turn following a go-around.