Casualties unknown

1983-06-04: Beech 58 (N275ZA) — Clearwater, FL

Clearwater, FL, US

On June 4, 1983, a Beech 58 (registration N275ZA) was involved in an aviation accident near Clearwater, FL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft landed left of the runway after the pilot mistook a white line of sand for the centerline due to haze and setting sun, resulting in landing gear collapse upon striking a dirt mound and taxiway.

Incident

The aircraft was landing when it touched down left of the intended runway. According to the pilot, visibility was degraded by haze and the setting sun. Under these conditions, the pilot misidentified a white line of sand as the runway centerline. This sand line was positioned to the left of the actual runway, leading to the landing off the runway.

Collision and Damage

During the off-runway landing, the aircraft struck a dirt mound and a taxiway. The initial impact caused the collapse of the landing nose gear and the left main gear. Following the failure of these gears, the right main gear also collapsed.

Pilot's Account

The pilot reported that the poor visibility from haze and the setting sun caused him to mistake the white line of sand for the runway centerline. This error resulted in the aircraft landing to the left of the runway.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X43441. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.