Probable cause
The pilot’s initiation of a right turn with insufficient altitude remaining during an aborted landing resulting in a collision with the landing surface.
NTSB 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11CA134 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 5, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sebago Lake, Maine
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-12
- N-number
- N3806M
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.