Accident Overview
The pilot of the airplane reported that the approach appeared normal, but during the landing on a 1,500-foot-long gravel strip, the airplane firmly struck the runway and bounced. The pilot noted that the bounce was high and that the remaining runway was too short to correct the landing with power.
Pilot Account
The pilot chose to execute a go-around, applying full power and 20° of flaps as per the balked landing procedure. During the climb, the airplane drifted left toward 50-foot-tall trees located about 150 feet from the departure end of the runway. Unable to climb over the trees, the airplane struck the tree canopy, causing the nose to drop. The pilot instinctively reduced power as the airplane descended through the trees and impacted terrain.
Damage and Findings
The wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Official findings determined the probable cause to be the pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized approach, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent go-around with insufficient distance to clear trees during the climb.