Event NYC00LA089

Factual narrative

On March 5, 2000, about 1235 Eastern Standard Time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2761M, was substantially damaged while landing at the Greenwood Lake Airport, West Milford, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injures. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, about 1100. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was landing on Runway 6, a 4,000 foot-long, 60 foot-wide, asphalt runway. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot said the airplane touched down about 2,000 feet beyond the approach end of the runway and to the left of the runway center line. When the airplane began to drift to the left, the pilot attempted a go-around. The airplane drifted off the left side of the runway, and began to strike rocks and bushes. The airplane then entered a gully, where it came rest, about 350 feet before the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane. Winds reported at an airport about 18 miles south of the accident site, at 1253, were from 320 degrees, at 11 knots, with 16 knot gusts. Additionally, a witness stated that at the time of the accident the crosswind was "strong and gusty." While landing on Runway 6, a 4,000 foot-long, 60 foot-wide, asphalt runway, the airplane began to veer to the left and the pilot attempted a go-around. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, where it began to strike rocks and bushes. The airplane then entered a gully, where it came rest, about 350 feet before the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the airplane. Winds reported at an airport about 18 miles south of the accident site, were from 320 degrees, at 11 knots, with 16 knot gusts. Additionally, a witness stated that at the time of the accident the crosswind was 'strong and gusty.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12