# NTSB NYC85LA218: Piper PA-18-95, N3287Z, Millinocket, ME, August 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1985, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Millinocket, ME
- Location: 45.6592° N, 68.6981° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Millinocket, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6592&lon=-68.6981&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA218

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DEPARTING FROM SOUTH TWIN LAKE IN WINDS THAT WERE FROM 270 DEG AT 12 GUSTING 20 KTS. AFTER THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE WATER, HE STARTED A SLIGHT TURN. HE STATED THAT AT ABOUT THAT TIME, A GUST OF WIND SIMULTANEOUSLY LIFTED THE NOSE & A WING, CAUSING THE ACFT TO STALL. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LAKE & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3287Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3287Z), registered now, S/N 18-7210, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-95
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7210
- Airframe hours: 1720
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dan Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: South Twin Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 525 total, 525 in this make and model, 463 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19850821067829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850821067829A), Aug 21, 1985: Piper PA18, Millinocket, ME, Substantial damage. Started turn after water takeoff in gusty wind conditions. Stalled and impacted water 200 feet from takeoff point.

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.