# NTSB CEN26LA332: Piper PA18, N3879Z, Karinen, SD, September 17, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: September 17, 2026, 07:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Karinen, SD
- Coordinates: 45.85338, -103.6439 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8534&lon=-103.6439&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA332
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA332

## Preliminary report

On September 17, 2026, about 0710 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA18-150 airplane, N3879Z, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Karinen, South Dakota. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to preliminary information obtained by responding FAA inspectors, the airplane impacted a field between two water tanks that the pilot checked every morning via aerial observation. Due to injuries, the pilot has not been able to provide additional information, and the time of the accident was approximated. The closest aviation reporting site, located about 24 nautical miles to the northeast, and about the estimated time of the accident, reported visibility less than 1/4 mile with moderate fog and an overcast ceiling at 200 ft. The airplane was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3879Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3879Z), registered now, S/N 18-7677, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18 (150)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7677
- Year built: 1961
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 0.25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observed at: KBWW, 24 nm away
- METAR: METAR KBWW 171315Z AUTO 11003KT M1/4SM FG OVC002 07/07 A3028 RMK AO2=

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.

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