Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on landing resulting in a go-around, and a subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated he was landing on a 2,000 foot long grass strip. He approach was fast, he landed long, bounced, and saw that he would not be able to stop the airplane before going off the end of the runway into the trees. He attempted a go-around, and the airplane collided with the trees and terrain.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 5, 1997, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N7636S, registered to a private owner crashed on landing at Miller Air Park, Mooresville, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Lake Norman Air Park, Mooresville, North Carolina, about 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated this was his first landing on the 2,000-foot grass strip. His approach was fast. He landed long, bounced and saw he was not going to be able to stop the airplane before going off the end of the runway into the trees. He attempted a go-around, and the airplane collided with the trees and terrain. -