# Accident 19980525023629A: Piper PA32300, Hanover, PA, May 25, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 25, 1998, 19:50 local time
- Place: Hanover, PA
- Airport: Hanover Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Final Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.8109° N, 76.9793° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8109&lon=-76.9793&mi=10
- Aircraft: N43108, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N43108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-300 (registry code 7103212, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32300
- Reported engine: LYC IO540K1A5
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,487 total, 1,663 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC98LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA119) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980525023629A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON MAY25, 1998,ABOUT1950 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A PIPER PA-32-300,N43108, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING LANDING AT HANOVER AIRPORT (6W6), HANOVER,PENNSYLVANIA. THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.NO FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED FOR THE FLIGHT BETWEEN WILLIAMSPORT REGIONAL AIRPORT (IPT), WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA AND POTOMAC AIRFIELD (VKX), FRIENDLY, MARYLAND. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR PART 91. ACCORDING TO THE PILOTS WRITTEN STATEMENT, HE DIVERTED TO HANOVER AIRPORT DUE TO IMPENDING DARKNESS, CONCERNS FOR WEATHER ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT, AND AN "ALREADY LONG, FRUSTRATING, AND SOMEWHAT TIRING DAY." HANOVER WAS DETERMINED TO BE NEAREST AIRPORT BY UTILIZING A GPS DATABASE. THE PILOT CALLED ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY, AND RECEIVED A RESPONSE THAT THE DIRECTION OF THE ACTIVE" WAS RUNWAY 27. THE PILOT ENTERED A DOWNWIND AND FLEW A "NORMAL APPROACH." THEN, ABOUT 3 FEET OFF THE GROUND ON FINAL APPROACH, THE GEAR APPARENTLY STRUCK A DIRT PILE ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, INITIALLY MAINTAINED FORWARD DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, THEN VEERED TO THE LEFT. IT CAME TO REST IN A WHEAT FIELD WITH A COLLAPSED LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND SUBSTANTIAL LEFT WING DAMAGE. (-23) WHILE ENROUTE FROM WILLIAMSPORT TO WASHINGTON D.C. MR. BERSTEIN ELECTED, PRIMARILY DUE TO ENSURING DARKNESS AND CONCERNS REGARDING THE WEATHER, TO LAND AT AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT (HANOVER, PA) WHERE BOTH WEATHER AND LIGHT WERE STILL ADEQUATE. THE AIRPORT WAS IDENTIFIED ON MR. BERNSTEIN'S GPS DATABASE. ON AN OTHERWISE NORMAL APPROACH, THE FIXED GEAR APPARENTLY STRUCK A DIRT PILE ON THE APPROACH AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. MR. BERNSTEIN MISTOOK AN AREA OF CONSTRUCTION FOR THE RUNWAY. THE ACTUAL RUNWAY IS TURF GRASS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC98LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA119), May 25, 1998: Piper PA-32-300 (N43108), Hanover, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to obtain current information for the divert airfield, and his selection of an unsuitable area for landing. Related factors included: the lower ambient light conditions at dusk,…

## Other reports on N43108 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19840504072439I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840504072439I), May 4, 1984: Piper PA32300 (N43108), Charlotte, NC, Minor damage. While avoiding a puddle of water nose gear went into poorly marked ditch. Airport manager advised of hazard.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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