Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the landing, which resulted in a collision with trees.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that the airplane approached fast and bounced twice on the 3,110-ft-long runway. After the second bounce, he attempted to abort the landing, but trees at the end of the runway were already too close to clear. He turned right to avoid the trees, but then turned left to avoid a house, and collided with the trees. The airplane was substantially damaged during the accident and all three occupants of the airplane were seriously injured. Postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, nor did the pilot report any.