# Accident 20020716017439A: Piper PA11S, Palermo, ME, July 16, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 16, 2002, 10:00 local time
- Place: Palermo, ME
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.6939° N, 69.3819° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6939&lon=-69.3819&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4504M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4504M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-11S (registry code 7101104, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11s) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental C90 series (registry code 17009, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA11S
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB IAD02LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA073) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020716017439A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON JULY 16, 2002 AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 LCL, A PIPER PA-11S FLOATPLANE, N4504M, PILOTED BY KENNETH IRELAND PRIVATE PILOT #1053385, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING TAKE-OFF FROM SHEEPSCOT LAKE, PALERMO, ME. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE PERSONAL FLIGHT CONDUCTED IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE PILOT RECEIVED NO INJURIES. THE PILOT WAS DEPARTING IN A NORTH NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION AND HAD JUST LIFTED OFF FROM THE WATER WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE WATER. HE STATED THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF ANYTHING BEING WRONG PRIOR TO HEARING THE NOISE. PILOT STATED HE WAS WATCHING OIL PRESSURE GAUGE FOR PROPER OIL PRESSURE AS HE HAD CHANGED AND ADJUSTED THE OIL PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE. WEATHER WAS REPORTED AT AUGUSTA MAINE 25 MILES WEST, WAS 35010KT AT 0953 LCL. RESIDENTS AT ACCIDENT LOCATION REPORTED VERY GUSTY WINDS FROM THE NORTH. BOTH FLOATS WERE TORN FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE NOSE OF THE RIGHT FLOAT SHOWED EVIDENCE OF HIGH IMPACT DAMAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (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 IAD02LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA073), Jul 16, 2002: Piper PA-11S (N4504M), Palermo, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind. A factor was the crosswind.

## Other reports on N4504M (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19910720031979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910720031979A), Jul 20, 1991: Piper PA11 (N4504M), Eagle Lake, ME, Substantial damage. Allowed a float to dig in on flare while making slight bank correction. Floatplane cartwheeled and sank.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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