NTSB Factual Report

On November 8, 2001, at 1230 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N9461P, was substantially damaged when the airplane impacted trees during an attempted go-around following a low approach to a private airstrip at Herald, California. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The personal flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91, and departed from Lodi, California, about 1215. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

On the day of the accident, the pilot told the Safety Board investigator that the airstrip on his ranch is 800 feet long and his approach was too far down the runway, and possibly with a modest tailwind. He initiated a go-around; however, the airplane mushed into the trees at the departure end of the runway.

In his written report to the Safety Board, the pilot reported that he was practicing approaches to landings and then going around without landing. There was a 6-knot quartering tailwind. On the third approach he added power to go around, and "The power was not there. The aircraft was mushing. I pushed the stick forward in order to get the plane to fly, but to no avail. The aircraft hit the trees at 10 [feet] above ground level." Elsewhere on the report form, in the section entitled "Mechanical Malfunction Failure," he checked the box "no."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's delay initiating a go-around during a downwind approach to a short runway.