Piper PA-12 accident near Jaffrey, New Hampshire, July 7, 2004
On July 7, 2004 at about 9:18 pm local time, a Piper PA-12, registered N2489M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jaffrey, New Hampshire (Jaffery Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2004 · about 9:18 pm local time
- Place
- Jaffrey, New Hampshire · Jaffery Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-12 · all PA-12s on the register
- Registration
- N2489M · registry record · serial 1977-15
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial climb after takeoff, the pilot observed that the airplane was not climbing, and the rpm gauge needle was dropping. Realizing there was not a suitable area ahead to land, the pilot elected to return to the runway. During the turn back to the runway, the airplane descended into trees. Witnesses observed the airplane arrived at the airport about 20 minutes prior to the accident. Examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any abnormalities. The temperature and dew point recorded at the airport, about the time of the accident were 80 and 52 degrees respectively. A review of a FAA carburetor icing probability chart placed the reported temperature and dew point in the "serious at glide power" area of the chart.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 490 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 436 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 10, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,093 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2003; 27 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-253-C-1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AFN Jaffrey NH at 9:14 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 2,982 ft by 134 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 9:52 pm from AFN
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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number NYC04LA160.