# Accident 20030504009969A: Piper PA18150, Ashland, ME, May 4, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 4, 2003, 09:30 local time
- Place: Ashland, ME
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.6044° N, 69.1433° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6044&lon=-69.1433&mi=10
- Aircraft: N46773, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46773) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-150 (registry code 7101828, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-290 series (registry code 41506, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18150
- Reported engine: LYC O320*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 22,510 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC03GA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03GA094) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030504009969A

## Narrative

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

(-23) JOHN MCPHEE WAS A RETIRED PILOT FOR THE MAINE WARDEN SERVICE PROVIDING CONTRACT FLYING SERVICES TO THE MAINE STATE FISH & WILDLIFE DEPT. ON THE MORNING OF 5-4-03, HE INITIALLY TOOK-OFF FROM HOULTON, ME (HUL) TO ELECTRONICALLY IDENTIFY AND TRACK LYNX IN A REMOTE AREA WEST ASHLAND, ME. AT APPROX. 10 AM, SPORTSMEN TRAVELING ON THE AMERICAN REALITY ROAD (DIRT LOGGING ROAD) 43 MILES WEST OF ASHLAND, DISCOVERED THE WRECKAGE, WITH THE DEAD PILOT STILL INSIDE, JUST 30 FEET SOUTH OF THE ROAD. NO WITNESSES, BUT THE EVIDENCE INDICATES HE WAS MANEUVERING LOW OVER THE ROAD ON A WESTERLY HEADING (POSSIBLY ATTEMPTING TO LAND). THE FIRST CONTACT WAS WITH A SMALL BIRCH TREE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE IS A BLUE PAINT TRANSFER ON THE TREE THAT MATCHES THE DAMAGED LEFT WING TIP LEADING EDGE. APPROX. 126 FEET WEST, A SECOND LARGER TREE WAS STRUCK (HARD). THIS SECOND IMPACT, DAMAGED THE L WING LEADING EDGE APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET FROM THE TIP, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FORWARD WING SPAR. APPROX. 165 FEET FROM THE FIRST CONTACT, THE AIRCRAFT (FUSELAGE) PENETRATED THE TREE LINE AND FINALLY CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE ON A 250 DEGREE HEADING WITH THE TAIL APPROXIMATELY 189 FEET FROM THE INITIAL POINT OF CONTACT.

## 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 NYC03GA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03GA094), May 4, 2003: Piper PA-18-150 (N46773), Ashland, ME, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's impairment due to over-the-counter medications, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control while maneuvering.

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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