NTSB Factual Report

On September 7, 2005, approximately 1050 mountain daylight time, an Aviat A-1B single-engine airplane, N477DK, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during an attempted go-around at the Sheridan County Airport (SHR), Sheridan, Wyoming. The private pilot, sole occupant and operator of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated at SHR approximately 0930.

According to the pilot, he departed SHR and performed slow flight maneuvers near SHR prior to executing four touch and go landings on runway 32. During the fourth touch and go landing, the pilot intentionally landed long down the runway in order to facilitate a shorter taxi after landing. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane and attempted "to fly out of it." The pilot increased the throttle and "pulled the airplane up out of ground effect." The airplane stalled approximately 30 feet agl, descended, and impacted terrain in a nose low attitude. At the time of the accident, the pilot estimated the wind to be from 330 degrees at 5 knots.

The pilot reported that both wings, the empennage, and nose of the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted no mechanical anomalies with the airplane during the accident flight. At the time of the accident, the pilot had accumulated approximately 15 hours in the accident airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the aborted landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.