COQUILLE, OR, USA
N9875L
Grumman American AA-1B
The pilot stated that while on an approach to the airport, he checked the wind sock, saw a tail wind, and decided to go around, 'but was unable to climb out in time to clear trees.' The airplane crashed into trees beyond the departure end of the runway about 520 feet above the airport elevation. The runway at the airport was 1,700 feet long. The pilot stated that he believed he had waited too long to go around, and he indicated that mechanical malfunction or failure was not involved in the accident.
On June 5, 1996, at approximately 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman American AA-1B, N9875L, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees while the pilot was attempting a go-around from an approach to Benham Airport, a private airport approximately 2 miles south of Coquille, Oregon. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR 91 flight from North Bend, Oregon. The pilot reported that he checked the wind sock, saw a tail wind (he indicated on his accident report that winds were from 300 degrees magnetic at 7 to 8 knots), and decided to go around "but was unable to climb out in time to clear trees." According to his accident report, the accident site was located beyond the departure end of the runway and was approximately 800 feet above sea level, or about 520 feet above the 280-foot airport elevation listed on the Klamath Falls sectional aeronautical chart. The Klamath Falls sectional chart indicates that the airport runway is 1,700 feet long and is oriented generally northwest/southeast. The pilot indicated a belief on his accident report that he waited too long to go around; he further indicated that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident.
the pilot's inadequate evaluation of wind conditions, and his subsequent failure to initiate a go-around in a timely manner, which resulted in his inability to maintain clearance with trees during the go-around. Factors relating to the accident included a tail wind condition, a short runway, and hilly terrain beyond the departure end of the runway.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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