Accident Summary
A private pilot reported that during the landing roll on a 2,355 ft. runway located steps from the ocean, he realized a go-around was necessary after traveling about half the runway distance. The pilot could not recall the airplane's airspeed at touchdown. He initiated the go-around by applying full throttle, retracting the flaps to zero, and rotating at 62 kts. The airplane lifted off but did not gain altitude. The pilot lowered the nose to accelerate, but the airplane stalled and impacted the water.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that he applied full throttle, retracted the flaps to zero, and rotated at 62 kts. After liftoff, the airplane failed to climb. When the pilot lowered the nose to increase airspeed, the airplane stalled and struck the water. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Manufacturer's Go-Around Procedure
According to the manufacturer's pilot operating handbook, the go-around procedure includes the following steps:
- Power: Full Throttle/2700 RPM
- Mixture: Full Rich
- Airspeed: 65 KIAS
- Wing Flaps: Takeoff position after climb established
- Trim: Nose Down (to reduce control forces)
- Airspeed: Accelerate to 76 KIAS
- Landing Gear: Retract
- Wing Flaps: Retract
- Cowl Flaps: Open
- Airspeed: Accelerate to 86 KIAS
The handbook also includes a caution emphasizing timely nose-down trimming to counteract nose-up pitching moment as power is increased and/or flap retraction.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar and aileron.