Apollo Aircraft Inc Fox N791YE accident near Chateaugay, New York

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing on a 1,300-ft-long private grass airstrip, the airplane floated and would not settle in the grass. Subsequently, he performed a go-around, but the airplane struck trees beyond the departure end of the runway and then impacted terrain.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the rudder.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation system about 23 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 5 knots. The pilot stated that the weather conditions reported at the departure airport about 18 miles to the east, about the time of the accident, were wind from 300° at 3 to 7 knots. The pilot landed to the east.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA561 for the full record.