# NTSB ANC87FA140: Lake LA-4-200, N39450, Coal Lake, AK, September 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1987, 15:23 local (23:23 UTC)
- Place: Coal Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4788
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4788/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA140

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - roll/run
  - throttle/power control - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE AIRPLANE STATED THAT HE HAD STEP-TAXIED TO THE EAST END OF THE LAKE IN PREPARATION FOR A TAKEOFF TO THE WEST. DURING THE TAKE OFF RUN, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE WAKE HE HAD JUST CREATED AND BECAME PREMATURELY AIRBORNE. HE REDUCED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE A FULL STALL LANDING, BUT STRUCK THE WATER HARD AND WAS THROWN FORWARD. AS HE WAS THROWN FORWARD, HE INADVERTEDLY PUSHED THE THROTTLE TO MAXIMUM. THE AIRPLANE SLEWED SIDEWAYS AND TURNED INVERTED. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER ESCAPED WITHOUT DIFFICULTY, BUT THE PILOT HAD TO DIVE UNDER THE AIRPLANE AND CUT THE OTHER TWO PASSENGERS FROM THEIR RETRAINTS. ONE OF THESE PASSENGERS LATER DIED FROM HER INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39450](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39450-1990-08-21), registration cancelled 1990-08-21, S/N 540 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4-200
- Registry model: [Lake LA-4-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4-200) (registry code 5110310) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 540
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John A. Steeby
- Registered owner: John A Steeby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1987, 27 hours before
- Departed: COAL LAKE, AK
- Destination: Z15, BIRCHWOOD, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 503 total, 136 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870905050029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870905050029A), Sep 5, 1987: Conaer LA4200, Coal Creek, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost directional control on takeoff. Skidded sideways on the water then inverted and sank. Had crossed prior wake.

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.

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