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Airplane Drifts Off Runway After Pilot Blinded by Sun

Walterboro, SC, United States

On January 24, 2012, a BEECH 58 operated by MORGAN CORP was involved in an aviation accident near Walterboro, SC. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the sunglare. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot landed west in late afternoon and was blinded by the sun, causing the airplane to drift right, hit soft ground, and veer into a ditch, resulting in substantial damage.

Accident Details

According to the pilot, the accident occurred during a landing rollout in the late afternoon. The pilot had landed to the west, and his vision was limited by the afternoon sun, which blinded him. As a result, the airplane drifted off the right side of the runway, struck soft ground, and veered into a ditch. The impact caused substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Sunset Information

According to data from the United States Naval Observatory, official sunset was at 1748. The accident occurred about 30 minutes before sunset.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on personnel
Runway excursion

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Beechcraft Baron 58 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 24 Jan 2012 BEECH 58 accident near Walterboro, SC?

A pilot landed west in late afternoon and was blinded by the sun, causing the airplane to drift right, hit soft ground, and veer into a ditch, resulting in substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 24 Jan 2012 BEECH 58 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 24 Jan 2012 involved a BEECH 58, operated by MORGAN CORP, at Walterboro, SC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the sunglare.

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