CLAYTON LAKE, ME, USA
N2852M
Piper PA-12
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.
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.
the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and uncontrolled descent to the frozen lake surface.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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