Casualties unknown

Pilot Mistakes Pasture for Airport, Lands in Driveway (N9508R)

Flippin, AR, US

On October 14, 2002, a Beech K35 (registration N9508R) was involved in an aviation accident near Flippin, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A contributing factor was the pilot's disorientation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A 37,000-hour pilot mistook a pasture for his intended airport. After clearing a fence, he landed 600 feet from the field's end, crossed another fence, slid through two trees, and stopped upright in a driveway.

Accident Overview

A pilot with 37,000 hours of flight experience was en route to his destination when he mistook a pasture for his intended airport. During the landing approach to the north, he observed a fence and initiated a pull-up maneuver to clear it. The airplane successfully cleared the fence and touched down approximately 600 feet from the end of the field.

Sequence of Events

After touchdown, the airplane continued through another fence, slid sideward through two trees, and came to rest upright in a driveway located in the front yard of a house owned by the property owner.

Pilot Comments

On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report), the pilot stated that the accident could have been avoided if he had been given a better description of the airport and if he had landed in the opposite direction.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021022X05361. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.