# NTSB IAD02LA073: Piper PA-11S, N4504M, Palermo, ME, July 16, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2002, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Palermo, ME - Coordinates: 44.693935, -69.381858 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6939&lon=-69.3819&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 55238 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD02LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55238/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55238 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA073 ## Probable cause pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind. A factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot flew to Sheepscot Lake to test and monitor the oil pressure gauge that he had just installed. During a high speed taxi test toward the northeast, the pilot said the wind lifted the left wing and dropped the right wing into the water, which caused the aircraft to nose over. The front spreader bar on the floats broke, and the propeller struck the right float and it filled with water. Wind at an airport 15 miles away was from 350 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2002, approximately 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-11S, a floatplane, N4504M, was substantially damaged during a high speed taxi on Sheepscot Lake, Palermo, Maine. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot. According to the inspector, the pilot had just replaced an adjustable oil pressure relief valve on the engine. He then flew to Sheepscot Lake to test and monitor the oil pressure gauge. During a high speed taxi test toward the northeast, the pilot said the wind lifted the left wing and dropped the right wing into the water, which caused the aircraft to nose over. The front spreader bar on the floats broke, and the propeller struck the right float and it filled with water. The FAA inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, the left float had separated from the airplane, but the right float exhibited more impact damage. The propeller was also damaged. The pilot reported a total of 4,000 flight hours, of which, 400 hours were in make and model. The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies. Weather reported at Augusta State Airport (AUG), 15 nautical miles southwest, at 0953, included wind from 350 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 9,500 feet, temperature 68 degrees F, and dewpoint 54 degrees F. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4504M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4504M), registered now, S/N 11-7, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-11S - Registry model: [Piper PA-11S](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11s) (registry code 7101104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11-7 - Airframe hours: 4961.2 - Engines: Continental C90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth Foster Ireland - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1998, 16.5 hours before - Departed: NONE, PALERMO, ME - Destination: NONE, SHEEPSCOT LAKE, ME - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; last flight review March 20, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 4,000 total, 400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 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 20020716017439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020716017439A), Jul 16, 2002: Piper PA11S, Palermo, ME, No damage. (-23) On July 16, 2002 at approximately 1000 LCL, a Piper PA-11S floatplane, N4504M, piloted by kenneth ireland private pilot #1053385, was substantially… ## Other investigations on N4504M (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 NYC91LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA184), Jul 20, 1991: Piper PA-11 (N4504M), Eagle Lake, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF HIS ALTITUDE DURING A LANDING ON GLASSY WATER, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55238. 536 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 536 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463114&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.