Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare and failure to maintain yaw control during a go-around in gusting wind conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, the airplane encountered wind shear and landed hard. He added that, during the bounce, he applied power to go around, but the airplane yawed to the left "severely." The pilot added right rudder and reduced power to abort the takeoff in an attempt to land back on the runway. The airplane was "about 6 ft. [above ground level]" and continued left, and the left wing impacted a ditch. Subsequently, the propeller struck the ground, the airplane rotated 180°, and the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. There were no nearby National Weather Service reporting stations. An online commercial weather service provider reported that a nearby station reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 315° at 1.6 mph, gusting to 3.4 mph. The pilot reported sky clear, visibility 10+, temperature 74°F, and altimeter setting 29.90 inches of mercury, and he observed the wind direction from 270° at a light-and-variable speed, gusting to 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 35.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that, during the landing flare, the airplane encountered windshear and landed hard. He added that during the bounce, he applied power to go around, but the airplane yawed to the left "severely". The pilot added right rudder and reduced power to abort the takeoff in an attempt to land back on the runway. The airplane "about 6 ft. [above ground level]" continued left and the left wing impacted a ditch. Subsequently, the propeller struck the ground, the airplane rotated 180°, and the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. There were no nearby National Weather Service reporting stations. An online commercial weather service provider reported that a nearby station, about the time of the accident, reported wind from 315° @ 1.6 mph, gusting 3.4 mph. The pilot reported sky clear, visibility 10+, temperature 74?, altimeter 29.90, and he observed the wind direction from 270° at a light and variable speed, gusting to 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 35.