# NTSB ERA13CA355: Beech 58, N58DL, New Bedford, MA, July 31, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2013, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: New Bedford, MA - Coordinates: 41.676666, -70.958335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6767&lon=-70.9583&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87702 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA355 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87702/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87702 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA355 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to land in the displaced threshold, resulting in a collision with the approach lighting system. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 58, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 58, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 58, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1152740), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58DL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58DL), registered now, S/N TH-692, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH 58 - Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: TH-692 - Airframe hours: 6672 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Randolph Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Randolph Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 2013, 23 hours before - Departed: MVY, Vineyard Haven, MA - Destination: EWB, New Bedford, MA - Airport: EWB, New Bedford Regional, runway 23, 4,997 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 19, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 5,394 total, 3,147 in this make and model, 5,254 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: EWB, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20130731013699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130731013699A), Jul 31, 2013: Beech 58, New Bedford, MA, Substantial damage. On VFR approach to runway 23, aircraft struck the 600' and 400' approach lighting system bars. Aircraft landed safely without further incident. No injuries to… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87702. 8.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 858 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statements and Photos (item 2, .PDF, 5.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements%20and%20Photos-Redacted.PDF - Accident Site Diagram (item 3, .PDF, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399573&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Damage to Approach Lighting System (FAA Digital Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Damage%20to%20Approach%20Lighting%20System%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Damage to Approach Lighting System (FAA Digital Photo) (item 6, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399577&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Damage%20to%20Approach%20Lighting%20System%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.