N3117T

On April 22, 2001, about 1310 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177, N3117T, was substantially damaged during a go-around from the Hampton Airfield (7B3), Hampton, New Hampshire. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According the pilot, he was landing on runway 20, a 2,100-foot long, turf runway. As the airplane crossed over a tree line, the airspeed "shot up" momentarily to 105 mph, and then back to 80 mph. After encountering the "heavy turbulence," the pilot elected to perform a go-around. As the airplane began to climb, at a "best climb of 65 to 70 mph," the airplane would not ascend, and struck trees located about 50 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane descended, and impacted two evergreen trees before coming to rest on top of a stone wall.

According to the airplane Owners Manual, the published stall speed for the airplane in level flight, with a 1/4 flap setting, was 60 mph. The manual also stated that the obstacle clearance speed, with a 1/4 flap setting, was 67 mph.

The winds reported at an airport located about 6 miles to the north of 7B3, at 1255, were from 280 degrees at 18 knots, gusts to 25 knots.