# Accident 19981204032789A: Bbavia 8GCBC, Rochester, WI, December 4, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 4, 1998, 12:25 local time
- Place: Rochester, WI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.6707° N, 88.2699° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6707&lon=-88.2699&mi=10
- Aircraft: N395AC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N395AC-2024-05-17) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: American Champion 8GCBC (registry code 2121004, https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-8gcbc) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-360-A1D (registry code 41504, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BBAVIA 8GCBC
- Reported engine: LYC O360C1G
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 5,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI99LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA048) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981204032789A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ACFT EXPERIENCED CARBURATOR ICE ON DESCENT AND LOST POWER. (.19) ON DECEMBER 4, 1998, AT 1225 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME (CST), AN AMERICAN CHAMPION 8GCBC, N395AC, OPERATED BY A COMMERCIAL PILOT, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING TO A LAKE, THE AIRPLANE SKIPPED OFF OF THE WATER AND IMPACTED INTO TREES WHICH LINED THE SHORE. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR PART 91. THERE WAS NO FLIGHT PLAN ON FILE. THE CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT ROCHESTER, INDIANA, AND WAS EN ROUTE TO ROCHESTER, WISCONSIN. (-23) ON 12-04-98 AT APPROX. 12:10 LOCAL TIME AN AMERICAN CHAMPION 8GCBC, N395AC PILOTED BY COMMERCIAL PILOT LARRY BRIAN TAGUE CERT NO. 277509737 ON DESCENT TO "FOX RIVER AIRPORT" (DESIGNATOR 96C) EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE RPM AFTER POWER REDUCTION WAS MADE.  CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED BUT THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND ELECTED TO ATTEMPT TO LAND IN A SMALL LAKE (ROCKLAND LAKE).  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON THE LAKE BUT                                                                    THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT CONTACTED THE TREES AN D DEBRIS ON THE SHORE. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF CONTACT WITH TREES AND BRUSH.  THE PILOT WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE AIRCRAFT AND DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES.  THIS REPORT IS CONSIDERED CLOSED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI99LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA048), Dec 4, 1998: Bellanca 8GCBC (N395AC), Burlington, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: Carburetor ice, the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/preparation resulting in his flight into poor weather conditions, and the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. Factors contributing to…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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