CHI98LA134

Factual narrative

On April 25, 1998, at 1040 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N79006, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during landing. The airplane was landing on runway 31 and impacted trees past the departure end of the runway. The winds were reported as 110 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 14 knots. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Eagle River Union Airport, Eagle River, Wisconsin, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that when he flew over the airport at mid-field, the wind "was switching around to the point that runway 31 would be a better choice." He reported that as he was approaching runway 31 on short final, the airplane was not slowing down. He looked at the wind sock and it indicated that the wind was "almost directly behind me." He reported that he removed carburetor heat, applied full power, and raised the flaps. He reported that initially the airplane started to accelerate, but then it "seemed to slightly sink." He reported that all he could see was the tops of trees so he "pulled the nose up as high as he could to stall the airplane." The airplane settled through the trees. He reported that when it came to rest, he and the passengers exited the airplane. The pilot information manual indicated the procedures for a balked landing (Go-around) were the following: "In a balked landing (go-around) climb, reduce the wing flap setting to 20 degrees immediately after full power is applied. If obstacles must be cleared during the go-around, leave the wing flaps in the 10 degrees to 20 degrees range until the obstacles are cleared. After clearing any obstacles the flaps may be retracted as the airplane accelerates to the normal flaps-up climb speed of 80 to 90 MPH." The pilot did not claim that there was anything wrong with the airplane prior to the impact. The pilot reported that when he flew over the airport at mid-field, the wind 'was switching around to the point that runway 31 would be a better choice.' As he was approaching runway 31 on short final, the airplane was not slowing down. He looked at the wind sock and it indicated that the wind was 'almost directly behind me.' He removed carburetor heat, applied full power, and raised the flaps. Initially the airplane started to accelerate, but then it 'seemed to slightly sink.' He reported that all he could see was the tops of trees so he 'pulled the nose up as high as he could to stall the airplane.' The airplane settled through the trees. The pilot did not claim that there was anything wrong with the airplane prior to the impact. The pilot information manual stated the procedures for a balked landing were: 'In a balked landing (go-around) climb, reduce the wing flap setting to 20 degrees immediately after full power is applied. If obstacles must be cleared during the go-around, leave the wing flaps in the 10 degrees to 20 degrees range until the obstacles are cleared. After clearing any obstacles the flaps may be retracted as the airplane accelerates to the normal flaps-up climb speed of 80 to 90 MPH.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12