ERA12CA254

Factual narrative

At the pilot's destination airport a gusting, quartering, tailwind was striking trees and creating turbulence over the runway. During the landing, the airplane bounced three times. After the third bounce the pilot added power and elected to do a go-around. During the go-around, the wind blew the airplane to the left of the centerline of the runway, and the left wing of the airplane made contact with a tree. The airplane then pivoted 180 degrees to the left and the right wing and horizontal stabilizer struck another adjacent tree. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wings and horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that a gusting, quartering tailwind was creating turbulence along the landing runway. During the landing, the airplane bounced three times. After the third bounce, the pilot added power to perform a go-around. During the go-around, the wind blew the airplane to the left of the runway, where it struck a tree, then pivoted 180 degrees and struck another tree, damaging the wings and horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C