Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the sunglare.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he landed the airplane to the west during the late afternoon. During the landing roll, the afternoon sun “blinded” the pilot, limiting his vision. The airplane drifted off the right side of the runway, struck soft ground, and veered into a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. According to data from the United States Naval Observatory, official sunset was at 1748. The accident occurred about 30 minutes before sunset.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA156 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 24, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Walterboro, South Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Private Airstrip (NONE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech 58
- N-number
- N358CC
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Executive or corporate
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.