On October 12, 1985, a Beech B19 (registration N1983W) was involved in an aviation accident near Ruth, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to adequately prepare for the landing by not consulting the Airport/Facility Directory regarding the displaced threshold on runway 31, which resulted in a collision with a berm during the approach. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot unfamiliar with the airport's displaced threshold for runway 31 collided with a berm during a dusk approach, resulting in aircraft damage.
What happened
The private pilot completed a flight lasting approximately 50 minutes and prepared to land at dusk on runway 31. The pilot had never previously landed on this specific runway and was unaware of the remarks contained in the Airport/Facility Directory indicating that the threshold for runway 31 had been displaced 70 feet due to the presence of a berm. The aircraft was low on short final approach and collided with the berm.
Findings
The pilot's lack of familiarity with the airport's specific conditions contributed to the incident. The displaced threshold was not accounted for in the pilot's landing plan, leading to an inadequate altitude on final approach. The collision occurred because the aircraft descended below the safe glide path over the displaced area.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to adequately prepare for the landing by not consulting the Airport/Facility Directory regarding the displaced threshold on runway 31, which resulted in a collision with a berm during the approach.