Taylor J-2 | N19252

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot allowed the aircraft to drift right during a Go-Around, following a bounced landing on runway 10. The aircraft right wing struck the top of a tall tree after lift off, the tree was located very close (19 feet) to the runway edge. The aircraft was then pulled further right and impacted nose low, right wing down, about 1350 feet beyond the start of runway 10. The pilots medical had recently been suspended for reasons unknown, an in flight medical incapacitation is possible. An autopsy report has not been published. The most likely cause of this accident is the pilots improper go around procedure, losing sight of the objects, and failing to favor the left side of the departure path during go around.

The DTSB recommends that all pilot of all aircraft rehearse and become conditioned to be able to perform the go around instantly and properly. The DTSB recommends lowering the nose to level flight and applying full power first, maintaining directional control through the use of rudder. The winds were calm at the time of this accident and it is possible that the pilot never saw the tall tree in his path, or saw that he had drifted to the right. The J-2 is typically flown solo from the rears seat, making objects directly ahead difficult to see during initial climb. The DTSB also recommends the removal of objects such as this tree from such a close proximity to runway edge. The tree that was hit was located 19 feet to the right side of the grass runway edge.