Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was for him to demonstrate to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who was on the ground witnessing the flight, his ability to land an airplane. On the first landing, the airplane landed hard, and the right main landing gear tire deflated. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and came to rest, damaging the right wing spar and fuselage. The pilot reported there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction that caused the hard landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA558 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 22, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Burlington, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Burlington-Alamance Regional (BUY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech 35-C33
- N-number
- N331DP
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.