Piper PA 14 N4214H accident near Wasilla, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in impact with trees.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot reported that, he was attempting to land at a private airport in light crosswind conditions. After multiple failed attempts to align the airplane with the runway heading during the landing flare, he initiated a go-around. He subsequently applied power, and the airplane banked abruptly left toward trees at the edge of the runway. When he realized the airplane would not clear the trees, he reduced the power and attempted to level the wings. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the trees and then the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. A pilot-rated witness on the ground at the airport at the time of the accident reported that the wind direction was variable from 030° to 040°, gusting to 20 knots. The owner reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC20LA086 for the full record.