Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during a go-around.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported that after over flying an unimproved grass airstrip he elected to land to the east. The pilot stated that on final approach about 50 feet above the ground he experienced a gust of wind. He attempted to go around by adding full power, but wasn't able to gain sufficient altitude before impacting terrain with the right wing tip. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain with its left wing tip before coming to rest on a westerly heading in a nose down, tail up attitude. Both wings sustained substantial damage.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot reported that after over flying an unimproved grass airstrip he elected to land to the east. The pilot stated that on final approach about 50 feet above the ground he experienced a gust of wind. The pilot further stated that he attempted to go around by adding full power, but wasn't able to gain sufficient altitude before impacting terrain with the right wing tip. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain with its left wing tip before coming to rest on a westerly heading in a nose down, tail up attitude. The pilot sustained a minor injury and there was no postcrash fire. Both wings sustained substantial damage.