The Piper Cherokee was being flown by a student pilot near Jacksonville, N.C. The student left the airport to do some air work, then returned for landing. During final approach to the runway, the airplane drifted to the left.
The left main landing gear was off the pavement at touch down, and the airplane pivoted to the left.
The student attempted a go-around. As he pulled back on the yoke during takeoff, the left wing stalled, and the nose gear hit the ground. The airplane spun around 180° before coming to a stop, resulting in substantial damage.
The student was not hurt. The student reported that the wind was calm just before the landing.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the go-around attempt, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with the ground.
NTSB Identification: ERA13CA235
This May 2013 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
rraty is right. It wasn’t a botched go-around. It was a botched touch-and-go
This may seem obvious, but the go-around should have been initiated long before touchdown, when the pilot saw he wasn’t lined up properly. Once the wheels touch, good or bad, your landed.
rraty, your right on target here. Take what you got at that point.