Accident Piper PA-34 N2491U, Sunday 12 January 1997

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Date:	Sunday 12 January 1997
Time:	23:35 LT
Type:	Piper PA-34
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N2491U
MSN:	34-7970447
Total airframe hrs:	2274 hours
Engine model:	Continental TSIO-360-EB1
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Dillingham, AK - United States of America
Phase:	Unknown
Nature:	Executive
Departure airport:	Sand Point, AK (SDP)
Destination airport:	(KDLG)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot and a passenger were landing at night after making a cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported he was demonstrating a VOR approach to the passenger. As the airplane touched down, the pilot noticed that a slight tail wind was present and the runway was slippery. He applied full power and executed a go-around. As the airplane began to climb, the pilot retracted the landing gear and flaps. He also began a slight left turn toward an unlit area of snow covered terrain. The airplane collided with the terrain and a tree, swerving the airplane to the right. The airplane came to rest in the snow with damage to the right wing, engine, propellers, and fuselage.

Probable Cause: the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from terrain during a go-around. A factor related to the accident was: the dark, night condition.

Accident investigation: