N2792L

On October 10, 1995, about 1833 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N2792L, collided with a telephone wire and an automobile during a go-around at the Honeoye Falls Airport, Honeoye Falls, New York. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. One person on the ground received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Perry, New York, at 1815. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he had flown to Perry, New York, about 25 nautical miles southwest of Honeoye Falls, to fuel the airplane. After refueling, the pilot returned to Honeoye Falls and was flying a visual approach to runway 01. The pilot stated that during the final approach he was using carburetor heat and 40 degrees of flaps, and he detected "Evidence of tail wind causing increase in ground speed . . ." The pilot elected to perform a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot further stated that a "Significant power shortage was evident. Unable to regain enough altitude, gear struck telephone wires causing inversion of plane and striking automobile."

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the flaps were set at approximately 40 degrees, the elevator trim was set nose up, and the throttle was in the mid-range position. Examination of the engine revealed the compression on the number one through six cylinders, respectively, were as follows: 26/80; 72/80; 74/80; 74/80; 40/80; 76/80.

Additionally, runway 01 was a 1,685 foot long, 90 foot wide turf runway, with trees at each end. The wind was reported to be 3 to 5 knots from the west.