According to the pilot, he was completing a short cross-country flight in a Beech 58 and planned a practice short field landing at the airport in New Bedford, Mass. 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 plane hit the approach lighting system at the 400- and 600-foot positions from the runway end.
The runway had a 413-foot-long displaced threshold and the touchdown occurred near the front edge of the threshold.
An FAA inspector examined the airplane and confirmed substantial damage to the lower surface of the fuselage, including both wing bulkheads.
The NTSB determined the probable cause was the pilot’s improper decision to land in the displaced threshold, resulting in a collision with the approach lighting system.
NTSB Identification: ERA13CA355
This July 2013 accident report is are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
