Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA11CA134

Sebago Lake, ME, USA

Aircraft #1

N3806M

PIPER PA-12

Analysis

According to the pilot, he was attempting to land on a frozen lake, about 200 yards off shore. He encountered severe snow conditions and aborted the landing. He banked the airplane, and the right wing contacted ice and snow on the lake surface. The right wing separated and the airplane crashed on the lake. The pilot reported that the airplane had just been fueled and was operating normally at the time of the accident.

Factual Information

According to the pilot, he was attempting to land on a frozen lake, about 200 yards off shore. He encountered severe snow conditions and aborted the landing. He banked the airplane, and the right wing contacted ice and snow of the lake surface. The right wing separated and the airplane crashed on the lake. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported that the airplane had just been fueled and was operating normally at the time of the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s initiation of a right turn with insufficient altitude remaining during an aborted landing resulting in a collision with the landing surface.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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