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Airplane Lands on Runway Under Construction After Diverting (N43108)

Hanover, PA, US

On May 25, 1998, a Piper PA-32-300 (registration N43108) operated by Kenneth H. Bernstein was involved in an aviation accident near Hanover, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: failure of the pilot to obtain current information for the divert airfield, and his selection of an unsuitable area for landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot diverted to an alternate airport at dusk, using GPS database information. During landing, the airplane hit a dirt pile and veered into a wheat field, having landed on a parallel runway under construction instead of the turf runway.

Incident Overview

A pilot diverted to an alternate airport as dusk approached. The location and information about the airport were obtained from a GPS database. After conducting an approach to land, the airplane struck a pile of dirt while approximately 3 feet above the ground. It then touched down and veered into a wheat field.

Postflight Inspection

A postflight inspection revealed that the airplane had not landed on the airport's turf runway. Instead, it had landed on a parallel runway under construction, described as an 'elevated fill' runway. Information regarding the runway and construction activity was available in the Airport/Facility Directory.

Sequence of Events

The pilot decided to divert to an alternate airport due to the approaching dusk. Utilizing the GPS database, the pilot found details about the airport and its position. During the landing approach, while the airplane was about 3 feet above the ground, it encountered a pile of dirt. After hitting the dirt, the airplane touched down and subsequently veered into a wheat field. The inspection confirmed the landing occurred on the construction runway rather than the intended turf runway.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Piper PA-32 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 25 May 1998 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Hanover, PA?

A pilot diverted to an alternate airport at dusk, using GPS database information. During landing, the airplane hit a dirt pile and veered into a wheat field, having landed on a parallel runway under construction instead of the turf runway.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 25 May 1998 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N43108, operated by Kenneth H. Bernstein, at Hanover, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

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, construction on the airfield, and an over-reliance on the limited information provided by the GPS database.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10183. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.