# NTSB NYC91LA184: Piper PA-11, N4504M, Eagle Lake, ME, July 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1991, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Eagle Lake, ME
- Location: 47.0349° N, 68.5897° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eagle Lake, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0349&lon=-68.5897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA184

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF HIS ALTITUDE DURING A LANDING ON GLASSY WATER, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS MAKING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS ON A LAKE.  THE PILOT SAID HE WAS MAKING A SLIGHT BANK CORRECTION, WHEN THE LEFT FLOAT DRAGGED IN THE WATER.  THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED AND SANK IN 130 FEET OF WATER.  THE PILOT SAID HIS DEPTH PERCEPTION WAS POOR, BECAUSE OF 'GLASSY WATER' CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4504M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4504M), registered now, S/N 11-7, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- 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
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Conrad El Daigle
- Registered owner: Conrad El Daigle
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: DAIGLE POND, ME
- Airport: NONE, Eagle Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,800 total, 2,800 in this make and model

## Weather

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

## 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 19910720031979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910720031979A), Jul 20, 1991: Piper PA11, Eagle Lake, ME, Substantial damage. Allowed a float to dig in on flare while making slight bank correction. Floatplane cartwheeled and sank.

## 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 IAD02LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA073), Jul 16, 2002: Piper PA-11S (N4504M), Palermo, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for wind. A factor was the crosswind.

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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