# NTSB NYC95LA037: Piper PA-18-150, N112KF, Glenburn, ME, November 24, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1994, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Glenburn, ME
- Location: 44.9076° N, 68.8488° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Town of Glenburn, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9076&lon=-68.8488&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38906
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38906/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA037

## Probable cause

The pilot's (1) improper decision to initiate a takeoff with ice on the wing.

## 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
  - wing - ice
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - pole
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING PRELIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED ICE ON THE RIGHT WING.  HE SAID THE LEADING EDGE AND FORWARD 18 INCHES OF THE WING WERE CLEAR OF ICE.  HE DID NOT REMOVE THE ICE AND INITIATED A TAKEOFF. THE RIGHT WING WOULD NOT COME UP WITH FULL LEFT AILERON AND THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT DID NOT ABORT THE TAKEOFF UNTIL AFTER THE AIRPLANE HAD DRIFTED RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY AND THE THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A POLE.  WHEN THE POWER WAS RETARDED THE AIRPLANE SETTLED INTO BIRCH TREES AND A RASPBERRY BOG.

## Factual narrative

On November 24, 1994, at 1130 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-18-150, N112KF, piloted by Mr. George Higgins, of Presque Isle, Maine, struck trees while taking off from a private airstrip at Lucky's Landing, Glenburn, Maine.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  The airplane received substantial damage.  No flight plan had been filed for the flight which operated under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was departing from a small grass airport that is next to the Lucky's Landing seaplane base, Glenburn.

In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated:

On pre flight ice was noted on right wing, but none      closer than 18 inches from leading edge.

Made soft field takeoff - right wing did not come up      with full left aileron - there fore plane turned to      right side of runway - right wing tip struck a bird      house on a 6 foot pole - throttle closed - plane was      drawn into raspberry bushes and both wings impacted      small white birch trees.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N112KF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N112KF), registered now, S/N 18-7809134 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7809134
- Airframe hours: 3196
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George Higgins
- Registered owner: Kendra Farris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1994, 14 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: PQI, PRESQUE ISLE, ME
- Airport: NONE, Lucky Landing, runway 36, 1,500 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,800 total, 200 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °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 19941124048399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941124048399A), Nov 24, 1994: Piper PA18150, Glenburn, ME, Substantial damage. Struck trees on climbout. A wing dropped struck a pole and crashed into trees. Wing stall on soft field takeoff.

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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