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ERA13CA355

2013-07-31 · New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport EWB

Current FAA registration · N58DL

Make / Model
BEECH 58
Year of manufacture
1975 · 38 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 2 engines
Last airworthiness date
19751029
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A773E5

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's improper decision to land in the displaced threshold, resulting in a collision with the approach lighting system.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he was completing a short cross-country flight and planned a practice short field landing at the destination airport. He landed on his planned touchdown point, but did not take the height of the runway threshold lights into consideration. During the final approach, the airplane struck the approach lighting system at the 400 and 600-foot positions from the runway end. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and confirmed substantial damage to the lower surface of the fuselage, including both wing bulkheads. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The runway had a 413-foot-long displaced threshold and the touchdown occurred near the front edge of the threshold. According to the pilot, he was completing a short cross-country flight and planned a practice short field landing at the destination airport. He landed on his planned touchdown point, but did not take the height of the runway threshold lights into consideration. During the final approach, the airplane struck the approach lighting system at the 400 and 600-foot positions from the runway end. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and confirmed substantial damage to the lower surface of the fuselage, including both wing bulkheads. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The runway had a 413-foot-long displaced threshold and the touchdown occurred near the front edge of the threshold. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2013_ERA13CA355.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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