N23236

On August 17, 1997, at 1035 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PA-38-112, N23236, piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with soft ground and nosed over following a go-around from a landing approach. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Glenwood, Minnesota, at 1000 cdt.

The pilot said he "...flared too soon and ... floated down the runway." He said the airplane drifted to the left edge of the runway because of the right-hand crosswind. He said the airplane was drifting to the left as he applied full power to go-around. He said the airplane began to "...sink..." as he applied the power. The pilot said the airplane continued to drift to the left because he did not apply enough right rudder after the power application. He said he pitched the airplane up after applying the power and the airplane stalled. According to the pilot, the nose landing gear tire contacted the ground shortly after the main landing gear tires. The nose gear then collapsed and the airplane continued its ground roll for a short time and then nosed over.

The pilot made his first solo flight on April 11, 1997, after 13.6 hours of dual instruction. According to the pilot's logbook, he had accumulated 9.3 hours of solo flight by August 10, 1997. During an interview with the pilot it was revealed he had performed 2 go-arounds during February 1997 while receiving dual instruction. He said since that time, he has performed two go-arounds while flying solo. When doing crosswind landings, the pilot said he normally uses the crab to slip method for wind correction. He said he applied the left rudder as the airplane crossed the runway thereshold, but forgot to apply right aileron to compensate for the wind.