No fatalities

Pilot overruns runway after floating touchdown (N43744)

Hackettstown, NJ, US

On September 21, 1991, a Piper PA-28-161 (registration N43744) operated by Instrument Flying Club was involved in an aviation accident near Hackettstown, NJ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and stop within the available runway distance after floating the landing on a downslope. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

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

A pilot touched down early, floated to mid-field on a slight downslope, and was unable to stop before overrunning the runway and descending an embankment.

What happened

The pilot was attempting to land on a runway with a length of 2,200 feet. According to the pilot's account, the aircraft touched down within the first third of the available pavement. However, the airplane became airborne again and floated forward toward the middle of the field. The second touchdown occurred on a section of the runway that featured a slight downward slope.

Despite these conditions, the pilot was unable to bring the aircraft to a halt within the remaining distance. The airplane overran the end of the runway and descended down an embankment. The incident resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot reported having 135 hours of total flight time, with only two hours logged in the preceding 90 days.

Findings

Contributing factors included the pilot's failure to maintain proper touchdown point and control during a landing on a short runway with a downslope gradient.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and stop within the available runway distance after floating the landing on a downslope.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Sept 1991 Piper PA-28-161 accident near Hackettstown, NJ?

A pilot touched down early, floated to mid-field on a slight downslope, and was unable to stop before overrunning the runway and descending an embankment.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Sept 1991 Piper PA-28-161 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Sept 1991 involved a Piper PA-28-161, registration N43744, operated by Instrument Flying Club, at Hackettstown, NJ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and stop within the available runway distance after floating the landing on a downslope.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18176. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.