Cessna 350 accident near Fishers Island, New York, June 14, 2008
On June 14, 2008 at about 12:45 pm local time, a Cessna 350, registered N166DS, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Fishers Island, New York (Elizabeth Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's misjudged airspeed during approach and improper flare, which resulted in a fast and hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 2008 · about 12:45 pm local time
- Place
- Fishers Island, New York · Elizabeth Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 350
- Registration
- N166DS · registry record · serial 42070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, the touchdown on the runway was normal and braking was applied. As brake pressure was increased, the airplane began to shimmy. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage composite structure had partially separated in a downward direction, the landing gear wheel pants and attaching parts were damaged, and both main tires exhibited flat spots. No anomalies with the nosewheel turning or dampening and centering capabilities were found, and no anomalies were observed with the operation of the brakes or on the brake pads/discs. The asphalt runway was 2,328 feet long and the wind was reported as calm about the time of the accident. Damage to the airplane and tire skid marks on the runway were consistent with a fast, hard landing and maximum braking to keep the airplane from departing the end of the runway.
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
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,000 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 188 in the last 90 days; 90 in the last 30 days; 3,050 as pilot in command; 1,300 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 25, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 476 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 5, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-550 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ILG Wilmington DE at 11:20 am
- Destination: OB8 Fishers Island NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 2,328 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 12:46 pm from GON, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.