Engine failure leads to plane crash
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
MAPLETON — A local pilot escaped serious injury when his single-engine plane crashed Sunday night as he attempted to make it to Hanson Lake for a water landing.
A SINGLE-ENGINE PLANE operated by Patrick Driscoll of Ashland crashed in a field off of the State Road in Mapleton Sunday, 
with the accident being blamed on engine failure. Driscoll was uninjured. FAA officials were expected in the area this week to investigate.
“On July 22, around 6 p.m., Trooper Robert Flynn was dispatched to the scene of a plane crash located just off the State Road (Route 227) in Mapleton. FAA officials had originally contacted Presque Isle police to report the crash,” said Sgt. John Cote, Maine State Police.
Upon investigation, PIPD officers discovered the crash site was actually in Mapleton.
“FAA officials reported they had spoken to the pilot and he was uninjured and had been given permission to leave the scene,” said Cote.
The pilot, identified as 39-year-old Patrick Driscoll of Ashland, told investigators he suffered engine failure on his Cessna A185F single-engine private plane.
“The plane was equipped with floats. Driscoll attempted to make it to Hanson Lake but did not have enough altitude. Instead, he elected to attempt a landing in a field off Route 227,” Cote said.
The plane came to rest in a small group of trees and sustained substantial damage to at least one float, the fuselage, propeller and right wing.
“Driscoll was uninjured and walked away from the crash,” said Cote.
The crash remains under investigation by the MSP in coordination with the FAA. Officials from the FAA were expected to arrive at the crash site Monday.
Flynn was assisted at the scene by Trooper Nick Casavant and Sgts. Dan Marquis and John Cote.
