Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a full stop landing and the subsequent attempted go-around in turbulent conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that on his third practice full stop landing, the airplane encountered light turbulence and “dropped suddenly,” impacting the runway hard. The airplane became airborne again, and the pilot initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the airplane entered a left bank and the pilot attempted to correct; however, the landing gear contacted the ground between the runway and taxiway, collapsing the nose and right main landing gear, and the airplane came to rest in the grass area adjacent to the taxiway. The airplane’s fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.