# NTSB NYC97LA067: Piper PA-12, N2852M, Clayton Lake, ME, March 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 1997, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Clayton Lake, ME - Location: 46.6109° N, 69.5223° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clayton Lake, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6109&lon=-69.5223&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39338 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39338/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA067 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and uncontrolled descent to the frozen lake surface. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - fatigue, pilot in command - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - frozen ## Analysis The pilot reported that he flew the ski-equipped airplane to a lake to go fishing, and stalled the airplane while maneuvering to land on the frozen lake surface. Additionally, he reported that he had a bad cold, was congested, and tired. Witnesses reported that the pilot conducted a low pass over the frozen surface of lake, after which he initiated a left turn. In the turn the airplane rolled further left and descended toward the lake surface, striking the left wing and nose. ## Factual narrative On March 28, 1997, about 1030 eastern standard time, a ski equipped Piper PA-12, N2852M, was destroyed when it struck the ground while maneuvering near Clayton Lake, Maine. The certificated private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight which originated from Yeager Airport, Detroit, Maine, about 0830, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated: "...Left my private airport (Yeager) Detroit ME to go fishing on Rojo Lake. PA-12 on skies with passenger...Beautiful ride SE winds unventful wasn't feeling good last trip of the year! Had to go was not as sharp - as I should have been - stalled while approaching to landing on lake. Plane collapsed pretty much in one piece!" In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, under the section titled (How could this accident have been prevented) the pilot stated: "...Pilot had very bad cold congested tired, weather change + 50 degrees sence last trip. Air speed was approx 60-65 steep left turn, plane stalled!" An Operations Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Portland Flight Standards District Office, interviewed the pilot and witnesses and reported that the pilot had conducted a low pass over the frozen surface of Lake Chemquafaramticook to check for a landing area. Following the pass, the pilot initiated a left turn, in which the airplane rolled further left and descended toward the ground. The airplane struck the ice with the left wing, followed by the nose, and came to rest upright on the ice. According to the FAA Inspector, the pilot had not received a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2852M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2852M-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N 12-1188, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (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: 12-1188 - Airframe hours: 3086 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas D. Yeager - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1996, 53 hours before - Departed: ME52, DETROIT, ME - Destination: NONE, ME ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 850 total, 85 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °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 19970328003969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970328003969A), Mar 28, 1997: Piper PA12, Clayton Lake, ME, Destroyed. Stalled landing ski plane on frozen lake. Made steep turn on final. Wing hit ice. Cartwheeled. 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.