20250123000969A

The aircraft was flown from lodi, CA airport to the Columbia, CA airport for recreational purposes. The airplane fuel tanks were reported by the pilot to be full upon departure from lodi. The newly certificated private pilot approached the O22 runway 17 by entering the traffic pattern on a right downwing leg. Witnesses located on the airport property reported that the approach to the runway appeared to be excessively steep and at a higher than normal airpeed for a CE-172. While no witnesses stated that they actualy saw the airplane touch the runway, several witnesses were of the opinion that the airplane landed hard before rejecting the takeoff. The accident pilot stated that he does not recall contacting the runway surface and rejected the landing due to being further down the runway than he was comfortable with. Video of the go-around captured audio of the engine powere surging up and down accompanied by popping noises. The pilot stated that he checked mags, mixture and fuel selctor, finding these controls to be in the desired positions. The accident pilot stated that the carb heat was on during descent to the runway 17 and that he selected it off when he advanced the power for go-around. A review of witness statements and review of the video clip indicate that the airplane appeared to be climbing very slightly and at a lower than normal airspeed. The airplane continued flying southbound over down sloped terrain for a short time before turning back towards the runway. The airplane did not out climb the upslope of the terrain while northbound towards the airport and struck a tree before falling to the ground nose first. Fire personnal responded to the scene and found the passenger had egressed the airplane. Rescue personnel extricated the pilot from the airplane using rescue tools and transported both individuals to a hospital via helicopter.