N87AD

On May 6, 2004, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Beech H35, N87AD, registered to Soar BC Inc. and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, landed short of the runway at the Aero Acres Airport, near Fort Pierce, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received minor injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated at the Aero Acres Airport, the same day, about 1025.

The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go landings, and was on very short final, about 25 feet from the end of the runway and about 30 feet above the ground, when he suddenly encountered a downdraft. The pilot further stated that the downdraft drove the aircraft downward, leading to a hard landing, just short of the beginning of the runway. He said that the nosewheel separated from the aircraft upon hitting the lip of the runway, followed by the propeller striking the runway. In addition, he said that as a result of the impact, both sides of the airplane's fuselage became twisted, aft of the baggage door. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or its systems prior to the aircraft impacting the ground.