Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's misjudgment of the distance and speed during the landing, and his delay in initiating a go-around. Factors relating to the accident were: the tall grass and ravine at the end of the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was on downwind for landing on runway 35, when he noticed a two to three story house 'just off the end of the runway.' He shortened his downwind leg which 'caused a fairly high initial final approach.... This required a slip to the runway. Since excessive airspeed was built up, the aircraft continued to float.' He decided to go-around and applied full power; however, the landing gear impacted tall grass at the departure end of the runway, then a ravine.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 15, 1996, about 1200 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N5026K, sustained substantial damage when it impacted vegetation during an attempted go around in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. The pilot reported minor injury and the sole passenger sustained serious injury. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed the St. Paul Flemming Airport about 1130. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was on file. In his written statement, the pilot reported that he was on downwind to runway 35, when he noticed a two to three story house "just off the end of the runway." He shortened his downwind leg which "caused a fairly high initial final approach.... This required a slip to the runway. Since excessive airspeed was built up, the aircraft continued to float." He decided to execute a go around and applied full power. The landing gear impacted tall grass at the departure end of the runway, then a ravine. The airplane sustained substantial damage. -