Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's delayed in initiating a go-around, and his failure to maintain clearance from trees. The high/fast approach for landing was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot and passenger were landing in a remote area near a campsite in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The landing area was 800 feet long and surrounded by trees. The pilot's landing approach was high and fast. About half-way down the landing area, the pilot executed a go-around and added full power, but the airplane collided with trees about 30 feet above the ground.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 17, 1996, about 2115 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Champion 7GCBC, N5267X, collided with a tree during a go-around at a remote strip, about 33 miles west of Kenai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Kenai Municipal airport at 2045. The pilot reported that he was intending to land in the area of Big River Lakes. The landing area was about 800 feet long and was oriented north and south. During the landing approach to the north, the pilot indicated his landing approach was too fast and too high. He decided to execute a go-around about half-way down the landing area. The pilot added full power but the airplane collided with trees about 30 feet above the ground. -