Adopted: May 22, 1944

Filo No. 5234-43

REPORT OF THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

on the

Investigation of an Accident Involving Aircraft

During a Local Practice Flight

Rowland Kenneth Quinn received serious injury in an accident which occurred 4 miles southwest of the Pittsfield Airport, Pittsfield, Maine, about 4:45 p.m. on December 15, 1943. Quinn, age 18, held a student pilot certificate and had flown about 21 solo hours, all in the type airplane involved. The aircraft, a Piper *** 35953, owned by Portland Flying Service, received major damage.

Quinn took off from Pittsfield Airport at 3:55 p.m. for a local practice flight. About 4:45 p.m., at an altitude of 800 feet, the student noticed the engine running roughly and *** r.p.m. He immediately nosed the airplane into a glide and throttled back to 1100 r.p.m. At an altitude of 600 feet the engine stopped and an attempt was made to land on a suitable field. Believing he was overshooting the field, the student intentionally stalled the aircraft, which dropped in on the left ski and bounced about 15 feet, striking the ground again with sufficient force to carry away the landing gear. The place came to rest on its nose 400 feet from the end of the field.

Examination of the wreckage revealed no indication of failure of any part of the aircraft prior to impact. Full carburetor heat was on during the flight. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were: Ceiling unlimited, visibility 3 to 5 miles, wind west 4 m.p.h. visible frost in the air, temperature 10 degree below zero.

It is believed that the engine had not been lagged or baffled for operation at such low temperature and that the further intentional reduction of power during the glide resulted in complete engine failure. However, the probable cause of the accident was the student's failure to execute a sage emergency landing on a suitable field.

BY THE BOARD

/s/

Fred S. Toombs

Secretary