# NTSB ERA11CA134: Piper PA-12, N3806M, Sebago Lake, ME, February 5, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 5, 2011, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Sebago Lake, ME - Coordinates: 43.844165, -70.619163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8442&lon=-70.6192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78283 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78283/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78283 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA134 ## Probable cause The pilot’s initiation of a right turn with insufficient altitude remaining during an aborted landing resulting in a collision with the landing surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-12, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101202), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was attempting to land on a frozen lake, about 200 yards off shore. He encountered severe snow conditions and aborted the landing. He banked the airplane, and the right wing contacted ice and snow on the lake surface. The right wing separated and the airplane crashed on the lake. The pilot reported that the airplane had just been fueled and was operating normally at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was attempting to land on a frozen lake, about 200 yards off shore. He encountered severe snow conditions and aborted the landing. He banked the airplane, and the right wing contacted ice and snow of the lake surface. The right wing separated and the airplane crashed on the lake. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported that the airplane had just been fueled and was operating normally at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3806M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3806M), registered now, S/N 12-2563, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-2563 - Airframe hours: 4322 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Randall, Richard Carl - Registered owner: Air Ads Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2011 - Departed: 0B1, Bethel, ME - Destination: 0B1, Bethel, ME ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 3,100 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: PWM, 20 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 20110205003129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110205003129A), Feb 5, 2011: Piper PA-12, Sebago Lake, ME, Substantial damage. A telephone interview was conducted on 2/23/2011 by ASI ron hodgdon with mr. [privacy data omitted] [privacy data omitted] is the[privacy data omitted] in… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78283. 143 KB in all. - FAA Inspector Statements (item 1, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Portland Maine Weather (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Portland%20Maine%20Weather-Master.PDF - NTSB Memo of Record (item 3, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memo%20of%20Record-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.