Accident
On February 25, 2023, about 1245 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-12, registration N4433M, was substantially damaged when it struck the ice at Ebeemee Lake, Maine. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, after attending a fly-in event on the frozen lake, he prepared the airplane for departure. Following a taxi to warm up the engine and test the magnetos, he initiated the takeoff. The pilot reported that the engine developed power and the airplane rotated normally. At an altitude 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 ahead. The airplane subsequently stalled and impacted the ice, with the right wing sustaining substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed continuity of the engine's valvetrain and powertrain. Compression was observed on all 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 quarter-tank of fuel remained in the fuel tanks. The examination revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
The temperature and dewpoint reported at Millinocket Municipal Airport, about 18 nautical miles east of the accident site, were -10 degrees Celsius and -17 degrees Celsius, respectively. The calculated relative humidity was 56%. Review of the icing probability chart in Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 indicated that the atmospheric conditions were not conducive to carburetor icing.