NTSB Factual Report

On June 13, 2005, about 1130 mountain daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D airplane, N96156, impacted trees during a go-around at Johnson Creek Airport near Yellow Pine, Idaho. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane departed from Big Creek Airport, Big Creek, Idaho, about 1100 with an intended destination of Johnson Creek.

In a telephone interview and a written statement, the pilot reported that he made an approach to runway 17. He was "slightly high" on final approach, slipped the airplane, and his airspeed increased by "a few miles an hour." When the airplane was 3 to 5 feet above the ground, at an airspeed of 50 miles per hour, with 300 feet of runway remaining, the pilot executed a go around. After completing 90 degrees of left turn, the airplane impacted trees and descended to the ground. Both wings and the fuselage sustained structural damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's delay in executing a go-around which resulted in his failure to obtain altitude/clearance with trees.