What happened
During a flight toward its intended destination, the pilot elected to perform an unplanned landing at a lake situated within rising terrain. While executing an easterly approach to the water, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure before the aircraft could touch down. During this maneuver, the aircraft flew at a low altitude over the lake surface, heading toward a notch in the landscape created by a creek and surrounding hills.
As the aircraft passed through this narrow area, the left wing made contact with a hillside. In response to the impact, the pilot applied significant back pressure on the control yoke and rolled the aircraft to the right. This resulted in a steep climb accompanied by heavy vibrations and the activation of the stall warning horn. Subsequently, the aircraft rolled to the left into a steep descent. Prior to the final impact with the ground in a nose-down attitude, the left wing struck a tree located on the bank of the creek.
Findings
An inspection of the engine and airframe following the accident showed no signs of mechanical failure or malfunctions that would have prevented the aircraft from operating normally. However, toxicological analysis of the pilot revealed the recent ingestion of over-the-counter medications intended to treat cold and flu symptoms. Because two of these medications possess sedating properties, their use or the pilot's underlying illness may have impaired flight performance. The investigation concluded that the pilot failed to maintain sufficient clearance from a tree while performing a low-altitude maneuver following the aborted landing.