Accident Piper PA-12 N765WM, Sunday 15 October 1989

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Date:	Sunday 15 October 1989
Time:	11:00 LT
Type:	Piper PA-12
Owner/operator:	National Aerial Advertising
Registration:	N765WM
MSN:	12-3206
Year of manufacture:	1947
Engine model:	Lycoming O-360
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Palmyra, NY - United States of America
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:	Buffalo, NY (9G0)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WORSENED SO HE STAYED IN A CLOSED PATTERN TO RETURN AND LAND. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED AT 200 TO 300 FT AGL ON DOWNWIND, THEN A VERY TIGHT TURN AT HIGH BANK ON TO FINAL, THEN A STALL. THE AIRPORT MANAGER REPORTED THE VISIBILITY AS 2,000 FT.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A TIGHT CLOSED PATTERN TURN TO FINAL. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE PILOT INITIATING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHICH INCLUDED FOG AND REDUCED VISIBILITY.

Accident investigation: