FTW04LA149

The 38-hour student pilot reported that while performing a go-around, the pilot failed to retract the flaps and the airplane was unable to attain its normal rate of climb. The airplane stalled and collided with trees. The student pilot stated that on final approach, he had selected 40-degrees of flaps. The airplane drifted left of the runway during the approach and the pilot applied full power to initiate a go-around. Subsequently, the student pilot realized he had forgotten to retract the flaps after he noticed a very reduced rate of climb. The pilot retracted the flaps as the airplane continued to drift to the left over the tree line.

On June 5, 2004, at 1038 central daylight time, a Cessna 150 single-engine airplane, N5677E, registered to Sport Aire Inc., of Wilmington, Delaware, and operated by Looker Aviation, of Benton, Arkansas, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees following a loss of control during a go-around at the Saline County Airport (M99), near Benton, Arkansas. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The supervised solo flight originated approximately eight minutes prior to the accident.

The 38-hour student pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) that after completing 45 minutes of dual flight training with his flight instructor, he was going to practice three solo takeoffs and landings under supervision of his instructor. After takeoff, the student pilot decided to perform a short field landing. While on final approach for runway 17 (a 3,980 foot-long by 50-foot wide asphalt runway), he realized the airplane was a "little high" and selected 40-degrees of flaps, while noting the wind to be variable.

The airplane started to drift left of the runway centerline while on short final. The student pilot crabbed the airplane into the wind attempting to line up on the runway centerline. The student pilot stated he had plenty of available runway remaining, but did not feel comfortable with the approach and decided to go around. After applying full power and pushing the carburetor heat to the cold position, he noticed the airplane "was not gaining altitude that fast" and was still drifting to the left. He realized he still had 40-degrees of flaps selected and retracted the flaps to "0" degrees. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees approximately 100-yards left of the runway, at the midfield point, and came to rest in a nose low position entangled within trees.

The flight instructor reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that after completing 45 minutes of dual flight training that focused on touch-and-go practice with and without flaps, he asked if the student felt comfortable enough to fly the airplane solo while he observed from the ground. After departure, the the instructor observed the airplane go-around while landing on runway 17. As the airplane climbed out of "ground effect" it drifted towards a tree line. As the student pilot retracted the flaps, the airplane descended and "stalled and fell into the trees."

Examination of the airplane by the operator revealed the right wing was bent aft, and the rear attach bolt was severed. The left wing was buckled along its span and remained attached to the fuselage. The fuselage skin was partially torn aft of the baggage door.