Statesboro, GA, USA
N4874G
Cessna 172N
During approach to the private airstrip, the pilot initiated a go-around, and the airplane did not climb. The pilot stated it felt like the headwind decreased, and the airplane did not gain enough airspeed for the climb. He stated he lowered the nose to gain airspeed and turned to the right to avoid trees. The airplane struck trees with its right wing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. The nearest weather observation station, Statesboro, Georgia, reported at 1400 winds were from 290 degrees at 6 knots with gusts to 17 knots, and at 1420 winds were from 300 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 22 knots.
On April 3, 2004, about 1400 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N4874G, registered to and operated by Pegasus Air LLC, collided with trees during a go-around at a private airstrip in the vicinity of Statesboro, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot and the private pilot-rated passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed Statesboro Bulloch County Airport in Statesboro, Georgia, about 1330 on April 3, 2004. The pilot stated he and the passenger flew around the local area to look at a house. The pilot stated that, on their way back toward Statesboro, he and the passenger saw a private airstrip owned by an acquaintance of the passenger. The airstrip had trees at each end of the runway, and the pilot executed a low approach to look at the airstrip. During the approach, the pilot initiated a go-around, and the airplane did not "want to climb". The pilot stated it felt like the airplane encountered wind shear and the headwind decreased, and the airplane did not gain enough airspeed for the climb. He stated he lowered the nose to gain airspeed and turned to the right to avoid trees. The airplane struck trees with its right wing as it started to climb. The pilot continued the climb to 2,000 feet mean sea level and returned to Statesboro Bulloch County Airport and landed. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the outboard right wing and spar, and damage to both wing tip covers. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. The nearest weather observation station, Statesboro, Georgia, reported at 1400 winds were from 290 degrees at 6 knots with gusts to 17 knots, and at 1420 winds were from 300 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 22 knots.
The pilot's failure to establish a positive climb and his failure to maintain clearance during a go-around, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor was the gusting winds.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
