Beech A36 accident near Burnsville, North Carolina, October 23, 2013
On October 23, 2013 at about 2:10 pm local time, a 1986 Beech A36, registered N7257W, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Burnsville, North Carolina (Mountain Air Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to achieve a proper touchdown point during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 23, 2013 · about 2:10 pm local time
- Place
- Burnsville, North Carolina · Mountain Air Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 UNDESIGNAT, built 1986 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N7257W · no longer on the register · serial E-2304
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he was high and fast on the approach to his destination airport. He landed the airplane approximately half way down the runway, and realized that he would not be able to bring the airplane to a full stop. He veered the airplane to left, departed the runway, traveled down an embankment and impacted a road. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Knowledge › Knowledge of geographic area › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Landing distance › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,100 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 4,100 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,400 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 25, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 3,651 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-550 (piston); 2,400 hours total
- Operator: 3 Manx Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: JWN Nashville TN at 1:15 pm
- Destination: 2NC0 Burnsville SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 2,900 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; a few clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from 2NCO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on February 4, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot and Passenger Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation-walker | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statement-erickson | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Witness Statement-mahrie | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 1-FRONT of Airplane Engine and Fuselage Damage (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo 2-RIGHT Wing and Fuselage Damage (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo 3-LEFT Wing Buckled Upward (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photo 4-RIGHT Side Rear View of Broken Horizontal Stabilzer (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.