What happened
During a scheduled passenger flight, a pilot was returning to the company's base airport. To expedite the arrival, the pilot requested and received permission to land on a short, 1,858-foot gravel runway. At the time of the flight, the temperature was 88°F, which was significantly higher than typical conditions for the area. The flight included the pilot and five passengers.
While attempting the landing, the pilot utilized a steeper approach and a standard 30° flap configuration. However, the aircraft type/model experienced a float halfway down the runway. In response, the pilot initiated a go-around by increasing power and retracting the flaps to 20° after the main gear briefly made contact with the surface. Data from ADS-B indicated the aircraft crossed the runway threshold at 110 knots, which was 32 knots faster than the recommended short-field approach speed. An air traffic controller observed that the aircraft bled off significant airspeed during the landing attempt and maintained a very flat climb profile.
As the aircraft climbed, the local controller observed the right wing drop and noted the plane appeared to be turning toward conflicting traffic. The controller issued two instructions for the pilot to turn left immediately. While attempting to follow these instructions, the pilot applied left aileron, causing the aircraft to stall. The plane rolled rapidly to the right in a wing-low attitude and struck the ground between the runways. A fire broke out following the impact, though the pilot was able to assist the passengers in exiting the wreckage. The aircraft type/model was destroyed by the fire, and the accident resulted in 0 fatalities and 5 injuries (the passengers).
Findings
Investigation into the accident suggests the pilot's decision to use the short runway led to an improper short-field approach characterized by excessive altitude and speed over the threshold. This resulted in a long landing flare and a subsequent go-around performed at a dangerously low airspeed. Furthermore, the high ambient temperature increased the density altitude, degrading engine and aerodynamic performance. The excessive airspeed reduction and subsequent maneuver at the limit of performance caused the right wing to exceed its critical angle of attack during the commanded left turn, leading to the aerodynamic stall.