What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
Pilot was approximately 1/4 mile from the approach end of the runway and about 200 feet altitude when an aircraft announced intent to takeoff on the active runway. Pilot advised the aircraft that they were forcing him to go around; however, the aircraft taxied onto the runway in front of him (I requested a search for the offending aircraft through the accident and litigation team, western service area, quality control group. Unable to identify the other aircraft)
- Pilot states he was maneuvering to avoid a collision. Pilot decided to initiate a 360 to the left, stating that is what they have you do in Idaho falls, and during his turn at about 90 to 120 degrees hit a tree-top. He feels darkness was a factor, as it was only his 2nd or 3rd dark landing. Pilot's lack of experience was a factor.
As the FAA filed it
PILOT WAS APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY AND ABOUT 200 FEET ALTITUDE WHEN AN AIRCRAFT ANNOUNCED INTENT TO TAKEOFF ON THE ACTIVE RUNWAY. PILOT ADVISED THE AIRCRAFT THAT THEY WERE FORCING HIM TO GO AROUND; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT TAXIED ONTO THE RUNWAY IN FRONT OF HIM (I REQUESTED A SEARCH FOR THE OFFENDING AIRCRAFT THROUGH THE ACCIDENT AND LITIGATION TEAM, WESTERN SERVICE AREA, QUALITY CONTROL GROUP. UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE OTHER AIRCRAFT)
- PILOT STATES HE WAS MANEUVERING TO AVOID A COLLISION. PILOT DECIDED TO INITIATE A 360 TO THE LEFT, STATING THAT IS WHAT THEY HAVE YOU DO IN IDAHO FALLS, AND DURING HIS TURN AT ABOUT 90 TO 120 DEGREES HIT A TREE-TOP. HE FEELS DARKNESS WAS A FACTOR, AS IT WAS ONLY HIS 2ND OR 3RD DARK LANDING. PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE WAS A FACTOR.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.