The pilot of the amphibian Piper Super Cub reported that she was flying a visual approach to a lake, over mountainous terrain, near Eagle Bay, N.Y. On an approximate 3/4 mile final approach to the lake, she observed a boat near her intended landing area and performed a go-around to circle for another approach.
During the go-around and turn, she did not move the throttle lever to full power. About one-fourth through the turn, she noticed the airplane was descending and increased engine power.
The plane continued to descend and she increased engine power a second time, however, one of the floats hit a tree and the airplane hit the ground, resulting in a minor injury and substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage.
The pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented if she had flown a higher approach and increased the throttle to full engine power immediately during the go-around.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s failure to set the engine throttle to full power during a go-around.
NTSB Identification: ERA13CA353
This August 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.
I cannot understand a go-around of any kind, especially in mountainous terrain, without full power from its beginning. Maybe too few facts are being presented here…did the pilot expect magical “lifties” above MSL?