# NTSB DEN86LA124: Piper J-3, N92283, Britton, SD, May 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1986, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Britton, SD
- Coordinates: 45.780853, -97.739952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7809&lon=-97.7400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16956/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA124

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO APPRX 100 FT AGL, THEN TURN & MAKE A FORCED LANDING. THE PLT STATED THE ENG HAD LOST TOTAL PWR. THE OWNER OF THE AIRCRAFT SAID THAT EXAMINATION OF THE ENG AFTER THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED LOSS OF PWR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92283](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92283), registered now, S/N 16744, 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
- Serial number: 16764
- Airframe hours: 2350
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gorden Curren
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1986, 150 hours before
- Destination: 8D3, SISSETON, SD
- Airport: BTN, Britton Municipal, runway 13, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 205 total, 70 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19860502015739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860502015739A), May 2, 1986: Piper J3C65, Britton, SD, Substantial damage. Aircraft stalled after downwind takeoff and impacted the ground.

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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