# NTSB NYC84LA040: Piper PA-18, N1473C, Great Pond, ME, November 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1983, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Great Pond, ME
- Location: 44.9403° N, 68.2820° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Great Pond, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9403&lon=-68.2820&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA040

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS GOING HUNTING IN A BOG WITH A STREAM RUNNING THRU THE AREA. REPORTEDLY, HE WAS MAKING A LOW PASS TO CHECK FOR ROCKS IN THE STREAM BEFORE LANDING WHEN A DEER JUMPED UP BESIDE THE FLOAT PLANE. HE STATED THAT HE WAS WATCHING TO SEE WHERE THE DEER WENT WHEN THE FLOATS CONTACTED THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE SLID TO A STOP WITH ONLY THE FLOATS TOUCHING THE GROUND. THE FLOATS RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1473C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1473C), registered now, S/N 18-2677, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2677
- Airframe hours: 3670
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jhon D. Ellis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GREAT POND, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 772 total, 165 in this make and model, 644 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F

## 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 19831124058539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831124058539A), Nov 24, 1983: Piper PA18, Great Pond, ME, Substantial damage. Aircraft contacted ground and stopped upright when pilot was on a deer spotting flight.

## Other investigations on N1473C (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 NYC74DNC44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74DNC44), May 19, 1974: Piper PA-18 (N1473C), Winslow, ME, substantial damage

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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