Accident Sequence
The pilot was completing an instrument cross-country flight when the accident occurred. Upon arrival at the destination airport, air traffic control cleared the pilot for a visual approach to runway 14. During the landing phase with a light right crosswind, the pilot heard a popping noise after touchdown, and the airplane veered left. The pilot initiated a go-around as the airplane departed the runway surface into the grass. While attempting to clear trees, the stall warning horn sounded. The pilot retracted the landing gear and then retracted the flaps. After flap retraction, the airplane’s left wing dropped, and the airplane lost altitude and collided with trees.
Witness Observations
Witnesses stated that the airplane climbed steeply and then banked to the left. According to witnesses, the airplane leveled, then the nose pitched up, rolled left, and nosed down into the trees.
Postaccident Examination
The pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a postimpact fire. A postaccident examination of the wreckage determined that the landing gear was down and locked. The tires were consumed by fire. Other than the popping sound reported by the pilot several days after his initial statement, no mechanical problems were reported by the pilot or found during the postaccident examination.