Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

February 25, 2023 · Piper PA-12 · N4433M

Ebeemee Township, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 25, 2023
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Ebeemee Township, ME
Aircraft
Piper PA-12 (1947)
Tail Number
N4433M
Operator
Alberco
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA23LA133

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

On February 25, 2023, about 1245 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-12, N4433M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Ebeemee Lake, Maine. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, after attending a fly-in event on a frozen lake, he prepared the airplane for departure. After taxiing away from the parking area to warm up the engine and test the magnetos, the pilot initiated the takeoff. He described that the engine developed fuel power and he was able to rotate the airplane as normal. As the airplane reached between 100 and 150 feet, the engine “quit suddenly.” The pilot stated that he initially “hesitated to lower the nose to maintain airspeed” and banked to the right to avoid trees that were straight ahead. The airplane subsequently stalled and impacted the ice below, with the airplane’s right wing sustaining substantial damage during the impact. A postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed continuity of the engine’s valvetrain and powertrain, with compression observed on all of the cylinders when the crankshaft was rotated. No anomalies of the ignition system were observed. Fuel was present in the fuel strainer and in the fuel lines to the carburetor. An estimated ¼-tank of fuel remained within the fuel tanks. Overall, the examination revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The temperature and dewpoint reported at Millinocket Municipal Airport (MLT), about 18 nautical miles east of the accident site, were -10 degrees C and -17 degrees C, respectively. The calculated relative humidity at this temperature and dewpoint was 56%. Review of the icing probability chart contained within Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 revealed the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were not conducive to carburetor icing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway18
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-12
Tail NumberN4433M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlberco
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-AFP · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · Minor
Crew 2Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 1 C
Altimeter29.65 inHg
Observation Time12:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data