N7176G

On March 4, 1996, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N7176G, collided with a tree while executing a go-around at Mathis airstrip, Cummings, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the local, personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The accident occurred about 45 minutes into the flight.

The pilot had been conducting practice full-stop takeoffs and landings. He provided the following information: On the second landing, he "ballooned" the airplane when he flared for the touchdown. A go-around was begun, but the airplane's climb performance seemed inadequate, and the flaps were not adjusted. A climb was achieved with insufficient rate to clear rising terrain at the end of the runway. The left wing struck a tree followed by the pilot's loss of consciousness.

The airplane's owner submitted a report of the accident in which he stated that the pilot climbed too steeply while the flaps were retracting. According to him, the airplane then started to "mush" and collided with trees and the ground.

Information provided by the local sheriff's deputy, who investigated the accident, indicated that the flaps were in the retracted position when the airplane was examined at the accident site following the accident.

During post accident examination of the engine, it was mounted on a test stand and operated.