# Accident 20240225002099A: Piper PA-28-181, Watertown, SD, February 25, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 25, 2024, 17:05 local time
- Place: Watertown, SD
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.9161° N, 97.1549° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9161&lon=-97.1549&mi=10
- Aircraft: N38696, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38696) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-181 (registry code 7102807, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA121) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240225002099A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON 02/25/2024, AIRCRAFT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS ON KATY CTAF CONDUCTING FLIGHT INSRTUCTION PATTERN WORK (MULTIPLE TOUCH AND GOES) WHEN THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED ENGINE TROUBLE. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT AT THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP, HITTING TREES AND A FENCE. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT ADVISED NEITHER OCCUPANT WAS INJURED. VMC WEATHER PREVAILED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN24LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA121), Feb 25, 2024: Piper PA-28-181 (N38696), Watertown, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The stuck No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced landing due to an undersized exhaust valve guide. Contributing to the accident were the improper…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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