BFO96LA023

The private pilot and the CFI stated that upon completion of the instrument competency check ride portion of the flight, they returned to the departure airport. The CFI reported that while on final approach the pilot made corrections twice because the airplane was low and slow. The airplane touched down about 4 to 6 feet short of the runway, and the main landing gear struck ruts in an access road at the approach end the runway.

On November 19, 1995, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Beech A23-24, N4758J, touched down short of runway 09 while landing at Andy Barnhart Memorial Airport in New Carlisle, Ohio. The two certificated pilots, the sole occupants, reported no injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from New Carlisle, Ohio, at approximately 1300.

The private pilot stated that the flight was intended as an instrument competency check ride. He stated that the certificated flight instructor (CFI) "...acted as an instrument instructor/safety pilot...during the hooded [simulated instrument] portion of the flight." The private pilot stated that the instrument competency check phase of the flight was completed, and they returned to the home base airport under visual conditions. He stated that he was set up for a long final approach to runway 09 at Andy Barnhart Memorial Airport. The private pilot stated that, because the runway was only 2,000 feet long, he planned his approach to touch down on the very end of the pavement. He reported that while on final, he had the right "wing down into the southerly wind." The pilot stated that when he began to flare he "...took the correction out and rolled flat, it sunk through and touched down a few feet prior to the end of the runway."

The CFI reported that during the approach for landing, the private pilot "...made two corrections for being low and slow...[the airplane] settled about four to six feet short..." of the landing surface. The main landing gear struck ruts in an access road at the approach end of runway 09, and the left main landing gear separated from the airframe. There was no evidence or claim of preimpact mechanical malfunction.