Casualties unknown

Aborted landing turns into hard landing after runway excursion (N55149)

Endicott, NY, US

On June 26, 1991, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N55149) operated by Triple Cities Flying Club was involved in an aviation accident near Endicott, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, which resulted in a runway excursion and a subsequent aborted landing that ended in a hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

During a landing attempt, the aircraft drifted right and left the runway. The pilot attempted to abort by applying full power, but the plane could not sustain flight and settled abruptly on the ground.

What happened

During the final phase of landing, the airplane drifted to the right side of the runway. The pilot attempted to apply control corrections to maintain alignment with the centerline, but these efforts were insufficient to keep the aircraft on the paved surface. Consequently, the airplane departed the runway environment.

Upon realizing the runway excursion was unavoidable, the pilot decided to abort the landing attempt. Full power was applied in an effort to climb away from the ground. The airplane briefly became airborne again; however, it was unable to sustain flight. The aircraft cleared the front of a hangar but subsequently settled onto the ground on the opposite side. The impact caused the airplane to stop abruptly.

The investigation

Post-accident review indicated that the pilot had limited recent experience, having flown only one hour in the preceding 90 days. This lack of recent flight time may have contributed to the difficulty in controlling the aircraft during the critical landing phase and the subsequent aborted maneuver.

Findings

The primary factors leading to this accident were the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during landing and the subsequent inability to sustain controlled flight after initiating a go-around from an unsafe position. The abrupt stop suggests significant structural stress upon impact with the ground.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, which resulted in a runway excursion and a subsequent aborted landing that ended in a hard landing.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Jun 1991 Piper PA-28-140 accident near Endicott, NY?

During a landing attempt, the aircraft drifted right and left the runway. The pilot attempted to abort by applying full power, but the plane could not sustain flight and settled abruptly on the ground.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Jun 1991 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N55149, operated by Triple Cities Flying Club, at Endicott, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, which resulted in a runway excursion and a subsequent aborted landing that ended in a hard landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17371. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.