Piper PA-12 N4433M

Summary

On 25 February 2023 at about 17:45 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N4433M, operated by Alberco LLC, was involved in an accident near Ebeemee Township, Maine, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 February 2023 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Ebeemee Township, Maine, United States

Coordinates

45.4317, -69.0150

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N4433M

Category

Airplane

Year built

1947

Engines

1

Operator

Alberco LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Fryeburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23LA133

2 people had minor injuries.

A partial power loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing from a fly-in event on a frozen lake. During the initial climb, at an altitude of about 150 feet, the engine suddenly lost power completely. The pilot attempted to turn the airplane away from trees that were ahead but hesitated to lower the airplane’s nose. The airplane subsequently encountered and aerodynamic stall and impacted the ice below, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the temperature and dewpoint were not favorable to the formation of carburetor icing. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.