# NTSB ERA09CA403: Smith PA18 replica, N846PT, Chesterville, ME, July 14, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2009, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Chesterville, ME - Coordinates: 44.854999, -70.086669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8550&lon=-70.0867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74284 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA403 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74284/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74284 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA403 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while turning from base leg to final approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Tyler Parker SUPER CUB REPLICA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05619KF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Tyler Parker SUPER CUB REPLICA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05619KF), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Tyler Parker SUPER CUB REPLICA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05619KF), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Tyler Parker SUPER CUB REPLICA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05619KF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated he was turning base to final in preparation for a water landing with his float equipped airplane. He reported the airspeed was 60 miles per hour. During the turn, at approximately 30 to 40 feet above the trees, the airplane began to sink and the left wing and nose dropped. The pilot further stated he had no time to recover as the aircraft impacted trees, and then the ground. He also stated that there were no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the airplane. The pilot explained that this accident may have been prevented if he performed a steeper approach with increased airspeed. The pilot reported that he had 2,070 hours of total flight experience, of which 172 hours were in the accident airplane make and model configured with floats. The recorded wind at an airport 15 nautical miles south southeast, about the time of the accident, was variable at 4 knots; however, the pilot reported rain showers in the vicinity accompanied by “rolling turbulence from the near by hills." Review of recorded weather at approximately the time and within a 30-nautical mile radius of the accident site did not reveal precipitation or wind gusts. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to both wings, wing struts, elevator and to the engine firewall. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he was turning base to final in preparation for a water landing with his float equipped airplane. He reported the airspeed was 60 miles per hour. During the turn, at approximately 30 to 40 feet above the trees, the airplane began to sink and the left wing and nose dropped. The pilot further stated he had no time to recover as the aircraft impacted trees, and then the ground. He also stated that there were no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the airplane. The pilot explained that this accident may have been prevented if he performed a steeper approach with increased airspeed. The pilot reported that he had 2,070 hours of total flight experience, of which 172 hours were in the accident airplane make and model configured with floats. The recorded wind at an airport 15 nautical miles south southeast, about the time of the accident, was variable at 4 knots; however, the pilot reported rain showers in the vicinity accompanied by “rolling turbulence from the near by hills.” Review of recorded weather at approximately the time and within a 30 nautical mile radius of the accident site did not reveal precipitation or wind gusts. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to both wings, wing struts, elevator and to the engine firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N846PT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N846PT), registered now, S/N 0073, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SMITH PA18 replica - Registry model: [Tyler Parker SUPER CUB REPLICA](https://openairdocs.org/model/tyler-parker-super-cub-replica) (registry code 05619KF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 073 - Airframe hours: 327 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 5, 2009, 6 hours before - Departed: OWK, Norridgewock, ME - Destination: Egypt Pond, ME - Airport: Egypt Pond, runway 36, water ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 23, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 2,070 total, 325 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: AUG, 15 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 20090714048149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090714048149A), Jul 14, 2009: Tyler Parke SUPER CUB R, Chesterville, ME, Substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74284. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 636 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records from Surrounding Airports (item 2, .PDF, 391 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20from%20Surrounding%20Airports-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to Aircraft. (item 3, .PDF, 578 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Aircraft.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to Left Wing. (item 4, .PDF, 464 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317365&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing.-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.