Event MIA00LA140

Factual narrative

On April 20, 2000, about 1400 Atlantic standard time, a Smith Aerostar 600, N7528S, registered to Island Wings, Inc., was damaged during landing at Vieques, Puerto, Rico, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Fajardo, Puerto Rico, the same day, about 1330. The pilot stated that while landing on runway 9 at Antonio Rivera Rodriguez Airport, while on short final approach in the landing configuration, just before touchdown, the aircraft encountered a downward force due to the displaced touchdown point of the extremely short runway available. He immediately added power to try to overcome the downward motion, but to no avail. The aircraft touched down 10 feet short of the runway. He continued the landing and exited the runway. Postlanding inspection of the aircraft showed it had sustained substantial damage. The NTSB was notified of the accident on April 27, 2000. The pilot stated that while approaching to land, the aircraft entered a downward motion and touched down about 10 feet short of the runway. He taxied to the ramp after landing and discovered the aircraft had sustained substantial damage. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12