N76688Cessna 140 · 1946

The pilot stated that before departure for a local flight the wind was “squirrelly and swapping around” and at takeoff the wind favored runway 21. After flying for about 15 to 20 minutes he elected to return to the departure airport and flew over it to observe the windsock which indicated the wind seemed to favor runway 03. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 03, and while on approach for a full-stop landing, he perceived the groundspeed was, “a little fast.” He continued the approach and touched down 1/3 down the runway, but at touchdown perceived the groundspeed was, “real fast.” Because the airplane was tailwheel equipped he did not apply the brakes, and he added power to go-around reporting that the engine responded OK. The flight barely cleared powerlines ahead with marginal airspeed, and with tall trees ahead, the airplane stall/mushed into trees. Although a bucket truck came to rescue him from the tree, it was too short to reach him. He donned a harness and shimmied out of the tree and also reported he was not aware of any preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane, engine, or engine systems.

A postaccident inspection of the airplane following recovery revealed the carburetor heat remained on, the fuel selector was off, and the throttle was full forward.

An aviation surface analysis report from Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport (EQY) at 1453, or about 23 minutes after the accident indicates in part that the wind was from 200 degrees at 5 knots. The EQY Airport is located about 13 nautical miles and 019 degrees from the accident airport.