# NTSB MIA72AM042: Piper PA-22, N5443Z, Watkinsville, GA, November 7, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 7, 1971
- Place: Watkinsville, GA · WATKINSVILLE, GA
- Location: 33.8597° N, 83.4048° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watkinsville, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8597&lon=-83.4048&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 163553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA72AM042
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72AM042

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2034   71/11/7   WATKINSVILLE,GA     PIPER PA-22         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 34, UNK/NR
        TIME - UNK/NR                  N5443Z              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PROFFITT STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATKINSVILLE,GA             MOULTRIE,GA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        REMARKS- ATTEMPTED T/O FROM SHORT STRIP,OBSTACLES AT BOTH ENDS.HIT TREE 80 FT AGL.RECOVERED SAME DAY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5443Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5443Z-1972-01-06), registration cancelled 1972-01-06, S/N 22-9220 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Proffitt Strip

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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