NYC98LA171

During landing to a 2,680 foot long, turf runway, the airplane bounced two times. The pilot then realized there was not enough runway remaining to make a full stop landing, and aborted the landing. Witnesses observed the airplane 'pitch way up,' turn left, and impact the trees located about 200 to 300 feet from the left side of the runway. Examination of the wreckage did not disclose evidence of any mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine.

On August 23, 1998, about 1125 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-1B, N9933L, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during an aborted landing at the Cape Cod Airport (2B1), Marston Mills, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Limington-Harmon Airport, Limington, Maine, about 0930, destined for 2B1. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot said he was on approach to runway 27, a 2,680 foot long, 70 foot wide, turf runway. He further stated:

"...from crosswind through final went fine. Just at flare the plane dropped a bit to hard, it then lifted, I settled the [airplane] back to the runway holding my flare. The plane touched again this time with more of a bounce. I settled the planes motion and that was when I realized there was not enough runway left to make a full stop landing. I then made a decision to go around...."

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, witnesses at the airport observed the airplane "pitch way up," turn left, and impact the trees located about 200 to 300 feet from the left side of the runway.

Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector did not disclose evidence of any mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine.

The pilot reported about 388 hours of total flight experience, all in the make and model of the accident airplane.