N632FL

On July 7, 1995, at 1745 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N632FL, operated by Culver Military Academy of Culver, Indiana, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees while preforming a go around at Fleet Field Airport, Culver, Indiana. The solo student pilot was not injured. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.

This flight was the student pilot's first solo flight. The student reported his approach to landing was normal but the airplane was a little high. Realizing there was an insufficient amount of runway remaining to make a normal landing, the student pilot decided to perform a go around. The student's instructor, who was witnessing the event, stated the airplane was in an excessively nose high attitude as the student pilot added full power. The airplane began to climb and drift to the left as the student corrected the airplane's attitude. As the airplane continued to climb, the left main landing gear tire and wing contacted a tree and the airplane impacted the ground.

Prior to this flight, the student pilot had completed a training flight with the Culver Military Academy's Director of Aviation in preparation for his solo flight. During this flight the student was asked to demonstrate a go around. The Director stated that the student performed the go around maneuver "flawlessly." Upon completion of this flight, the student pilot was authorized for solo flight.