Casualties unknown

Pilot Overruns Runway After Landing at Wrong Airport (N39678)

Dunsmuir, CA, US

On June 2, 2004, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N39678) was involved in an aviation accident near Dunsmuir, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance, which resulted in an overrun of the runway. The pilot's failure to use flaps and his landing at an airport with a runway shorter than he expected is a contributing factor. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot landed at the wrong airport, overran the 2,700-foot runway, and struck a berm. She had mistaken it for her destination with a 5,000-foot runway. Flaps were retracted, reducing stopping capability.

Incident Overview

A pilot conducting a cross-country flight mistakenly landed at an airport other than her intended destination. The airport she landed at had a 2,700-foot-long runway. After touchdown, she could not stop the aircraft before the runway ended, and it overran the surface, impacting a berm off the departure end.

Landing Performance

Review of the airplane's landing performance chart indicated that if the pilot had landed at maximum gross weight with full flaps extended, the aircraft should have stopped by the 1,100-foot mark. However, the pilot landed with the flaps retracted.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with the airplane or engine during the landing. The accident airport was near her intended destination, which has a 5,000-foot-long runway, leading to the confusion.

Consequences

The aircraft overran the runway and struck a berm. The source does not specify injuries or damage extent.

All Piper PA-28 Cherokee accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Jun 2004 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Dunsmuir, CA?

A pilot landed at the wrong airport, overran the 2,700-foot runway, and struck a berm. She had mistaken it for her destination with a 5,000-foot runway. Flaps were retracted, reducing stopping capability.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Jun 2004 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N39678, at Dunsmuir, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance, which resulted in an overrun of the runway. The pilot's failure to use flaps and his landing at an airport with a runway shorter than he expected is a contributing factor.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040717X00998. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.