# NTSB BFO90LA049: Piper PA-28-140, N43078, Lusby, MD, May 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1990, 20:50 local (May 26, 1990, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Lusby, MD
- Coordinates: 38.410217, -76.450256 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4102&lon=-76.4503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA049

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE DISTANCE NEEDED TO TOUCHDOWN AND STOP HIS AIRCRAFT BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT FAILED TO USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landed at wrong airport - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY LANDED AT AN UNLIT PRIVATE AIRPORT AFTER ENCOUNTERING DETERIORATING WEATHER. LIGHT RAIN HAD JUST BEGUN TO FALL AND DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE TIME HE TOUCHED DOWN. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE TREES AT THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY AND HE INTENTIONALLY LANDED LONG IN ORDER TO CLEAR THEM. WHEN HE APPLIED BRAKES, THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO STOP BEFORE GOING OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43078](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43078-2017-08-29), registration cancelled 2017-08-29, S/N 28-7425332, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425332
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen Benhanania
- Registered owner: Stephen Ben-Hanania
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Destination: CRE, MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Airport: MD50, Chesapeake Ranch, runway 12, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 381 total, 320 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900525022529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900525022529A), May 25, 1990: Piper PA28140, Lusby, MD, Minor damage. Landed at wrong airport and overshot threshold. Slid off end of wet grass strip.

## Other investigations on N43078 (3)

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 ERA15LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA237), Jun 14, 2015: Piper PA28 (N43078), Hampton, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to properly set the stabilator trim prior to takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall during takeoff.
- [NTSB NYC94LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA149), Jul 29, 1994: Piper PA-28-140 (N43078), Towanda, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB NYC75DHD20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75DHD20), Sep 25, 1974: Piper PA-28 (N43078), Vincetown, NJ, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.