On February 20, 1985, a Beech 58 (registration N25654) was involved in an aviation accident near Hibbing, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to transition to a visual landing while below the minimum descent altitude and off-centerline, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent runway excursion. 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.
During an instrument approach, the pilot attempted a visual landing while off-centerline and below glidepath, resulting in a hard touchdown and runway excursion into a snowbank.
What happened
The aircraft departed the paved surface after executing a hard landing. The pilot reported that during the final phase of an instrument approach, the airplane was positioned fifty feet above the ground and displaced to the left of the centerline when passing the middle marker. At this specific point in the descent, a passenger indicated that the runway was visible off to the right side.
Relying on this visual reference, the pilot attempted to complete the landing visually rather than continuing the instrument procedure. The aircraft touched down hard approximately five degrees off the runway heading. Following touchdown, the airplane continued its momentum off the end of the runway and came to rest in a snowbank.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to transition to a visual landing while below the minimum descent altitude and off-centerline, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent runway excursion.
What happened in the 20 Feb 1985 Beech 58 accident near Hibbing, MN?
During an instrument approach, the pilot attempted a visual landing while off-centerline and below glidepath, resulting in a hard touchdown and runway excursion into a snowbank.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 20 Feb 1985 involved a Beech 58, registration N25654, at Hibbing, MN.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's decision to transition to a visual landing while below the minimum descent altitude and off-centerline, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent runway excursion.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…