Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper descent path which resulted in a bounced landing and loss of control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during landing the airplane bounced multiple times. During each successive bounce, the airplane gained more altitude to the point that the pilot was scared. He added full power to go around, the airplane turned left, and he was unable to maintain control. The airplane impacted a ditch off the side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.