Beech A36 accident near Walnut Cove, North Carolina, November 9, 1996
On November 9, 1996 at about 2:20 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N8077M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Walnut Cove, North Carolina (Meadow Brook Field). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
failure of the pilot/owner (PIC) to either go around while there was sufficient runway remaining or apply adequate braking to stop the aircraft before overrunning the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot/owner's misjudgment of distance and speed, his failure to attain the proper touchdown point, the check airman's failure to properly supervise the pilot/owner, and the proximity of the ditch to the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 9, 1996 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- Walnut Cove, North Carolina · Meadow Brook Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N8077M · registry record · serial E2565
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot/owner and a flight instructor (CFI) were on an instructional flight as part of the American Bonanza Society Pilot Proficiency Program. The aircraft owner was designated pilot-in-command (PIC) and the CFI was designated as a check pilot. A simulated engine failure was performed while approaching the airport. The PIC was flying the aircraft and crossed the threshold at between 90 and 100 knots. The aircraft touched down about midway on the 2,725 foot runway. The pilot applied moderate braking. By the time the check pilot responded with heavy braking, the aircraft was over running the runway where it collided with a ditch.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 460 hours in all; 230 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 390 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,650 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550-B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: INT Winston Salem NC at 1:40 pm
- Destination: NC28
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 34, 2,725 ft by 32 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:54 pm from GSO, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.