# NTSB NYC87LA205: Piper PA-12, N4202M, Spencer Lake, ME, July 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1987, 20:10 local (Jul 16, 1987, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Spencer Lake, ME
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA205

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT SPENCER LAKE AND FLEW NORTH THEN SOUTH TO BAKER LAKE. SOUTH OF HEDGEHOG MOUNTAIN THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFTS AND A LOSS OF ALTITUDE AT 500-600 FEET PER MINUTE. UPON TURNING RIGHT TO RETURN TO SPENCER LAKE THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES AND CAME TO REST WITH THE FLOATS ON THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A FIRE ERUPTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4202M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4202M-1988-05-03), registration cancelled 1988-05-03, S/N 123096 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-3096
- Airframe hours: 3253
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen C. Coleman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1987, 23 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 908 total, 374 in this make and model, 836 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19870715034799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870715034799A), Jul 15, 1987: Piper PA12, Spencer Lake, ME, Substantial damage. Encountered a downdraft near a ridge. Unable to recover. Struck trees.

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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