Accident Overview
On July 25, 2018, at about 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300, registration N4747H, was substantially damaged during an accident in Avalon, California. The airplane was operated by the private pilot as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the two passengers sustained minor injuries.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he did not remember the accident but stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.
Airport Manager's Account
The airport manager reported that when the airplane was on the downwind leg, he advised the pilot of the wind, which was 330° at 4 knots. The pilot's first landing attempt was too high, and the airplane executed a go-around. On the second landing attempt, the airplane was "still too high and came in too fast" but touched down past about midfield. As the airplane neared the end of the runway, the manager heard the engine "rev up" and observed the airplane depart the runway in a "very nose high" pitch attitude. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain about 1,000 ft beyond the departure end of the runway and about 75 to 100 ft below the runway surface elevation, in a nose low attitude.