# NTSB DEN74DQA20: Piper J-3, N88240, Stead, NM, October 14, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: October 14, 1973
- Place: Stead, NM · STEAD, NM
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188275
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN74DQA20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DQA20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3163  73/10/14   STEAD,N MEX         PIPER J-3           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 53, 485
        TIME - 1500                    N88240              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 400 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TUCUMCARI,N MEX             DALHART,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: FENCE,FENCEPOSTS                          IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- LOW PASS TO READ SIGN POST,THEN LOOKED AT ROAD MAP.ACFT HIT FENCE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88240](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88240-2018-03-07), registration cancelled 2018-03-07, S/N 15857, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19731014033869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731014033869A), Oct 14, 1973: Piper J3C65, Stead, NM, Substantial damage. Low pass to read sign post,then looked at road map. Acft hit fence.

## Other investigations on N88240 (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 DEN65D0074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN65D0074), Apr 10, 1965: Piper J-3C (N88240), Taos, NM, substantial damage

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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