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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 6, 2004 · Beech H35 · N87AD

Fort Pierce, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Fort Pierce, FL
Aircraft
Beech H35
Tail Number
N87AD
Operator
Tim Sullivan
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA04CA080

The pilot stated that while on very short final he encountered a sudden downdraft, which drove the airplane downward, resulting in a hard landing short of the beginning of the runway. He stated that as a result of the impact the airplane incurred substantial damage, and added that prior to the accident, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane, or any of its systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots failure to maintain the proper glide path during the approach which resulted in the airplane undershooting the runway and not attaining the proper touchdown point.

Full Narrative

On May 6, 2004, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Beech H35, N87AD, registered to Soar BC Inc. and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, landed short of the runway at the Aero Acres Airport, near Fort Pierce, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received minor injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated at the Aero Acres Airport, the same day, about 1025. The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go landings, and was on very short final, about 25 feet from the end of the runway and about 30 feet above the ground, when he suddenly encountered a downdraft. The pilot further stated that the downdraft drove the aircraft downward, leading to a hard landing, just short of the beginning of the runway. He said that the nosewheel separated from the aircraft upon hitting the lip of the runway, followed by the propeller striking the runway. In addition, he said that as a result of the impact, both sides of the airplane's fuselage became twisted, aft of the baggage door. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or its systems prior to the aircraft impacting the ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest AirportAero Acres Airport (0nm)
Runway09
Runway Length310 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech H35
Tail NumberN87AD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTim Sullivan
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · 260-N · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.21 inHg
Observation Time10:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data