# Accident 20120624017129A: Universal Stinson 108, Cape Elizabeth, ME, June 24, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 24, 2012, 11:55 local time
- Place: Cape Elizabeth, ME
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.6211° N, 70.2067° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6211&lon=-70.2067&mi=10
- Aircraft: N39443, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39443-2018-01-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Universal Stinson 108 (registry code 9230412, https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: UNIVERSAL STINSON 108
- Reported engine: FRANKLIN 6A4-150
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 504 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA12LA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA411) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120624017129A

## Narrative

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

PILOT DECLARED A MAYDAY DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE WHILE CONDUCTING A CFR 91 FLIGHT ALONG THE COAST OF CAPE ELIZABETH, ME (PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT) HE INDICATED TO PWM ATC HE WASN'T GOING TO MAKE TO THE AIRPORT AND OR LAND AND WAS GOING TO LAND IN THE OCEAN. AIRCRAFT LANDED ABOUT 100 YARDS OFFSHORE FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE. ACCORDING TO A FOOD VENDOR AT THE LIGHTHOUSE WHO RAN TO THE WATERS EDGE, SAW THE AIRCRAFT NOSE DOWN IN THE WATER WITH NO SIGNS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE AIRCRAFT. THE VENDOR YELLED TO ANOTHER VENDOR TO CALL 911, AT THAT MOMENT HE SAW ONE HEAD COME UP TO THE SURFACE. THE VENDOR YELLED OUT TO THE PILOT AND ASKED IF ANYBODY ELSE WAS ONBOARD AND THE VENDOR THINKS HE HEARD THE PILOT SAY "NO, BUT I'M HURT" A HELICOPTER WORKING IN THE AREA RESPONDED TO SCENE AND THREW THE PILOT A LIFE JACKET. ACCORDING TO THE HELICOPTER PILOT'S STATEMENT IT APPEARED THE PILOT PUT ON THE FLOATATION DEVICE, BUT DID NOT INFLATE THE VEST. THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO STAY AFLOAT ACCORDING TO WITNESSES. IN THE MEAN TIME A PLEASURE BOATER AND PADDLE BOARDERS RESPONDED ALONG WITH SEA TOW. THEY RETRIEVED THE PILOT AND STARTED PERFORMING CPR AND TRANSPORTED THE PILOT TO THE BEACH AND TRANSFERRED TO EMERGENCY PERSONNEL. END

## 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 ERA12LA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA411), Jun 24, 2012: Universal Stinson 108 (N39443), Portland, ME, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A fatigue failure of the No. 3 piston skirt, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and the subsequent ditching in the ocean.

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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