On May 9, 1982, a Bellanca 8KCAB (registration N5067K) operated by Register R. Byrd was involved in an aviation accident near Hayitt, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to descend slightly low on final approach to avoid a road crossing the airstrip, combined with visual confusion caused by the wheat field blending with the runway, which resulted in the landing gear catching tall wheat and pulling the… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot descended slightly low to avoid a road crossing the airstrip, causing the landing gear to catch tall wheat and pull the aircraft down 200 feet before reaching the runway.
What happened
During the approach phase, the pilot initiated a descent that placed the aircraft slightly below the normal glide path. This adjustment was made specifically to avoid crossing a road that intersected the center of the airstrip. The visual environment contributed to the error; the wheat field located at the south end of the strip blended with the colors and texture of the runway surface, making depth perception difficult.
As the aircraft touched down or came into contact with the ground, the landing gear became entangled in the tall wheat. This interaction created significant drag, which pulled the aircraft downward. Consequently, the aircraft descended approximately 200 feet short of the intended runway threshold.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to descend slightly low on final approach to avoid a road crossing the airstrip, combined with visual confusion caused by the wheat field blending with the runway, which resulted in the landing gear catching tall wheat and pulling the aircraft down short of the runway.