Piper PA-12 accident near Orient, Maine, September 22, 2006
On September 22, 2006 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-12, registered N4459M, was destroyed in an accident near Orient, Maine. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor was his inadequate weight and balance calculations and the gusty wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2006 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Orient, Maine · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-12 · all PA-12s on the register
- Registration
- N4459M · no longer on the register · serial 12-3411
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to takeoff the pilot estimated that the winds were out of the west at 15 knots and gusting. During the takeoff, the pilot was not sure at what speed he rotated the airplane. The airplane as it broke the water, and about 500 to 700 feet above the ground, the pilot banked the airplane left. The right wing then "lifted up," the nose of the airplane pitched down, and the airplane was "thrown to the ground." During the descent control inputs to the aileron, rudder, and elevator were ineffective. The airplane impacted trees and caught fire. The pilot did not note any problems with the engine during the flight. The passenger stated that after takeoff, and at an altitude of 150 feet, the pilot initiated a shallow left turn. A gust of wind then "lifted the aircraft up," but he did not notice any unusual pitch changes. Witnesses observed the airplane takeoff at a high pitch angle, before it turned and impacted trees in a wings level descent. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical abnormalities. At the time of the accident the airplane was loaded more than 180 pounds beyond its maximum gross weight of 1,750 pounds.
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: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 535 hours in all; 205 in this make and model; 535 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,006 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2004
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Orient ME
- Destination: NONE Millinocket ME
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from HUL, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.