While executing a go-around at about 1433 Mountain time, the airplane entered a rapid vertical descent and collided with the ground. The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed. Multiple witnesses stated winds were very strong from the south. They observed the airplane attempt to land on Runway 26. It bounced a couple of times and had difficulty staying aligned with the runway. It became airborne again, crabbing into the wind as it gained altitude and climbing to 150-200 feet. It then turned north, the nose pitched down and it descended vertically to the ground.
June 1, 2011, Wendover, Utah, Cessna 172R
While executing a go-around at about 1433 Mountain time, the airplane entered a rapid vertical descent and collided with the ground. The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
Key Takeaways:
- A private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured when their airplane crashed during a go-around.
- Witnesses reported very strong southerly winds, which caused the aircraft to bounce during an initial landing attempt on Runway 26 and struggle with alignment.
- During the go-around, the airplane climbed to 150-200 feet while crabbing into the wind, then turned north, pitched down, and entered a rapid vertical descent, impacting the ground.
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