# NTSB OAK79FVM20: Beech H35, N7944D, Palo Alto, CA, May 13, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: May 13, 1979
- Place: Palo Alto, CA · PALO ALTO, CA
- Location: 37.3965° N, 122.1431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palo Alto, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3965&lon=-122.1431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK79FVM20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FVM20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2000  79/5/13    PALO ALTO,CA        BEECH H35           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 57, 2070
        TIME - 2111                    N7944D              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 470 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PALO ALTO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          PALO ALTO,CA                PALO ALTO,CA                 LITTLE RIVER,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7944D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7944D-1982-04-14), registration cancelled 1982-04-14, S/N D-5208 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H35
- Registry model: [Beech H35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h35) (registry code 1151520) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Palo Alto

## 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 19790513016219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790513016219A), May 13, 1979: Beech H35, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Misjudged night landing approach VFR. Struck dike short of runway. Dike was lighted.

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.

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