Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during short final, just before he initiated a landing flare, he lost sight of the dirt airstrip and initiated a go around. Shortly after, the pilot turned right, but he quickly realized that he would not be able to outclimb several treetops, so he lowered the nose attitude. Subsequently, the right wing struck a tree, the airplane impacted the ground at a steep angle and came to rest inverted. The airplane's wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during short final, just before he initiated a landing flare, he lost sight of the dirt airstrip and initiated a go around. Shortly after, the pilot turned right, but he quickly realized that he would not be able to outclimb several treetops, so he lowered the nose attitude. Subsequently, the right wing struck a tree, the airplane impacted the ground at a steep angle and came to rest inverted. The airplane's wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.