Probable cause
The pilot’s inability to maintain clearance from terrain during a go-around.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he had performed a stop-and-go in a dirt clearing with a slight upslope. The pilot attempted to land in the clearing a second time, but during the landing flare, the pilot realized that he was going to land about 50 to 100 ft past his previous landing point and observed large sticks and a dirt mound in the available landing area ahead of the airplane. The pilot said that he initiated a go-around by applying full power and noted that he did not have the performance while in the low energy state. Subsequently, the landing gear briefly contacted the ground and the left wing dropped before the airplane impacted terrain. During the accident sequence, the left wing, left flaperon, and fuselage sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA087 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 19, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lemmon Valley-Golden Valley, Nevada
- Nearest airport
- Hillside (NONE)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Series 7
- N-number
- N775DZ
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2007
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.