# NTSB NYC69A0109: Piper J-3, N42637, Reading, PA, June 4, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 4, 1969
- Place: Reading, PA · READING, PA
- Location: 40.3392° N, 75.9263° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reading, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3392&lon=-75.9263&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 183020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC69A0109
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69A0109

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1269   69/6/4    READING,PA          PIPER J-3           CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1740                    N42637              PX-  0  0  0  AIR SHOW/RACING           AGE 53, 10000 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 3000 IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SPAATZ FIELD
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        REMARKS- PLT CONTROL STICK NOT SECURED.STICK BECAME DISCONNECTED DURING LOW ALT AEROBATIC MANEUVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42637](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42637-1970-06-17), registration cancelled 1970-06-17, S/N 14928 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Spaatz Field

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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