# NTSB ATL86FA235: Piper PA-18, N4641H, Wilton, ME, August 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1986, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Wilton, ME
- Location: 44.6020° N, 70.2449° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wilton, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6020&lon=-70.2449&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6962/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA235

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT GO INTO A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE PRIOR TO CRASHING INTO A WOODED AREA NEAR THE ARPT. RPRTDLY, THE PROP WAS TURNING, BUT NO SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE ENG. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GND IN A NOSE LOW, INVERTED ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. ABOUT 32 MILES NW AT AUGUSTA, ME, THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 72 & 46 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. WITH THIS CONDITION, SERIOUS CARB ICING WAS POSSIBLE; HOWEVER, THE CARB HEAT WAS FOUND IN THE HEAT POSITION, BOTH IN THE COCKPIT & AT THE CARB AIR BOX. THE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD THE ACFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT DETERMINED, ALTHOUGH, IT WAS SERVICED WITH 5.5 GAL OF FUEL PRIOR TO THE FLT. THE PRIMER WAS FOUND UNLOCKED AND THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4641H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4641H-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 17-53, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-17) (registry code 7101702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17-53
- Airframe hours: 1864
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Reynolds Lawrence Ellis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1986, 41 hours before
- Airport: ME80, Meserve Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 354 total, 50 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUG, 32 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860830042379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860830042379A), Aug 30, 1986: Piper PA17, Wilton, ME, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft stalled and impacted a wooded area. Suspect carburetor icing caused power loss. Pilot consumed alcohol

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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