Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control of the airplane during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper flare.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane bounced twice during the flare/touchdown. The pilot reported that he added power and pulled back on the control stick to abort the landing, at which time the airplane banked to the right. The airplane continued to the right and contacted trees and the terrain. The pilot reported that most of his flight time was in airplanes with a control yoke instead of a control stick and that he inadvertently banked the airplane when he pulled back on the control stick during the aborted landing. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The airplane bounced twice during the landing flare. The pilot added power and pulled back on the control stick to abort the landing, at which time the airplane banked to the right. The airplane continued to the right where it contacted trees and the terrain. The pilot reported that most of his flight time was in airplanes with a control yoke instead of a control stick, and he inadvertently banked the airplane when he pulled back on the control stick during the aborted landing. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.