Piper PA-12 accident near Norfolk, Massachusetts, April 17, 2000
On April 17, 2000 at about 4:20 pm local time, a Piper PA-12, registered N3813M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Norfolk, Massachusetts (Norfolk Municipal airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an inadvertent stall during at banner pick-up.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 17, 2000 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Norfolk, Massachusetts · Norfolk Municipal
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-12 · all PA-12s on the register
- Registration
- N3813M · no longer on the register · serial 12-2734
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was making a second attempt to pick up a banner, and approached the two banner poles and catch rope at a low altitude. Prior to flying between the poles, the engine sounds were heard to increase. When the airplane flew over the catch rope, another increase in engine sounds was heard, and the airplane flew upwards. After the last increase in engine sounds, the engine sounds decreased, followed by two surges of the engine. The airplane descended to the ground in an approximate 45 degree nose down attitude and struck the ground. Prior to contacting the ground, one last surge of the engine was heard. The fuel tanks contained fuel which was absent of debris, and no obstructions were found in the fuel system. Examination of the wreckage revealed the altimeter, tachometer, and vertical speed indicators were not connected to their respective hose and cables. The knurled fitting that attached the tachometer cable to the tachometer was found unscrewed, and the threads were undamaged. Examination of the engine revealed there were no mechanical deficiencies. The carburetor heat handle was found in the off position, and an icing probability chart indicated the conditions were conducive for serious icing in cruise flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,498 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 5,363 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,357 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 18, 1999; 97 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 32M at 5:00 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 36, 2,700 ft by 45 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from OWD, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.