Beech 58 N58DL accident near New Bedford, Massachusetts

Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to land in the displaced threshold, resulting in a collision with the approach lighting system.

NTSB 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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13CA355 for the full record.