Loss of Control in Flight: Cessna 172M, N1085U; accident occurred August 14, 2018 at Birch Creek Airport (WS43), De Pere, Brown County, Wisconsin

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N1085U

Location: DePere, WI
Accident Number: GAA18CA490
Date & Time: 08/14/2018, 1750 CDT
Registration: N1085U
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane touched down and suddenly "pitched and lifted to the right." He added power to go around, but the airplane climbed and "turned way more to the left." The airplane impacted trees, spun, and dropped onto terrain.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control and his subsequent failure to maintain the runway heading during an attempted go-around, which resulted in impact with trees.

Findings

Aircraft
Lateral/bank control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Heading/course - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Tree(s) - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Approach-VFR go-around
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 69, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/24/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/27/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 199.8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 185.5 hours (Total, this make and model), 13.1 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 13.1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6.3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N1085U
Model/Series: 172 M
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17266834
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/14/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8001 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-E2D
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGRB, 702 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 336°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 240°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 19°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Green Bay, WI (GRB)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: DePere, WI (WS43)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1734 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: BIRCH CREEK (WS43)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 813 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 26
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2800 ft / 50 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Go Around 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  44.355833, -88.059722 (est)