Accident Overview
On August 7, 2012, at 1100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, registration N36103, impacted terrain during a go-around at Sportsman's World Airport (TA65) in Palo Pinto, Texas. The commercial pilot and four passengers were uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, departed from Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field (BMQ) in Burnet, Texas, and was destined for TA65. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that while on a 2-mile final approach to runway 16 (4,200 feet by 75 feet, asphalt), he observed a truck on the right side of the runway. He continued the approach and lost sight of the truck when the airplane was approximately 20-50 feet above ground level and over the runway numbers. The pilot stated he never saw the truck cross the runway. Deciding that the truck could cross in front of the airplane during rollout, he executed a go-around. He applied full power and pitched up to establish a climb. The airplane climbed about 50 feet, then struck a tree on the left side of the runway and began to descend. The pilot kept the airplane flying just above stall speed, hoping to gain altitude to avoid hangars also on the left side of the runway. The airplane did not impact the hangars, but continued descending until it contacted the ground, collapsing the landing gear. The airplane then slid about 20 feet. The pilot noted that during the go-around, the airplane's ground track traversed off the left side of the runway at the first taxiway, located about 1,400 feet down runway 16, and continued on a southeasterly track.
Investigation Findings
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, no mechanical anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation. The truck or its driver was not located during the investigation by either the FAA inspector or the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-In-Charge.