Cessna 182 N3304R accident near Telford, Tennessee

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing a go-around, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees.

NTSB analysis

After entering the traffic pattern at the destination airport, the pilot approached the runway for landing. The pilot described that during the landing approach the airplane was, “…a little fast and started to float which left my nose high.” The pilot initiated a go-around and the airplane’s nose pulled to the left. The pilot then corrected to the right an attempted to climb above trees to the right of the runway. The airplane subsequently contacted the trees and then impacted the ground. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured, and the airplane’s fuselage, wings, and engine mount were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Witness statements and video showed the airplane approach the turf runway normally and that after the pilot initiated the go-around, the airplane yawed to the left and the nose pitched up. Subsequently, the nose pitched down slightly, and a right bank began. The airplane continued in a right bank with a nose high pitch attitude and flaps extended until it impacted the trees to the right of the runway.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA252 for the full record.