# NTSB MKC72DTK20: Piper J-3, N88653, Watertown, SD, January 16, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 16, 1972
- Place: Watertown, SD · WATERTOWN, SD
- Location: 44.9092° N, 97.1557° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watertown, SD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9092&lon=-97.1557&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC72DTK20
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72DTK20

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0266  72/1/16    WATERTOWN,S DAK     PIPER J-3           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 47, 166
        TIME - 1630                    N88653              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 9 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WATERTOWN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATERTOWN,S DAK             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        REMARKS- SETTLED INTO 18IN OF SNW ON SIDE OF RWY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88653](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88653), registered now, S/N 16282, 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&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Watertown

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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