# NTSB MIA04CA080: Beech H35, N87AD, Fort Pierce, FL, May 6, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 6, 2004, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Pierce, FL - Coordinates: 27.341943, -80.521942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3419&lon=-80.5219&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59238 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04CA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59238/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04CA080 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N87AD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87AD-2005-01-26), registration cancelled 2005-01-26, S/N D-4943, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech H35 - Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D-4943 - Airframe hours: 5357.4 - Engines: Continental 260-N 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tim Sullivan - Registered owner: Soar BC Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 2003, 86 hours before - Departed: FD88, Fort Pierce, FL - Destination: FD88 - Airport: FD88, Aero Acres Airport, runway 09, 310 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,347 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: FPR, 10 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 20040506017719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040506017719A), May 6, 2004: Beech H35, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 6, 2004, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Beech BE-35-H35, N87AD, collided with the ground during the final landing approach to the Aero Acres… 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.