The pilot reported that during approach and just prior to landing at the airport in Elkader, Iowa, he aborted the landing because he felt the Cessna 150 was too high above the runway to land safely.
As he configured the airplane to go around, it flew about 150 feet beyond the runway and the right wing hit treetops. The plane then crashed into trees and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage.
The pilot added that a quicker power application and flap configuration would have prevented the accident.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s delayed decision to go around, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.
This June 2019 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.
