# NTSB ATL87LA146: Consolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200, N8543A, Sparta, NC, May 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1987, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, NC
- Coordinates: 36.499721, -81.129447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4997&lon=-81.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA146

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LDG AT A PRIVATE GRASS AIRSTRIP HE HAD LOCATED, AFTER BEING ADVISED OF WX AT HIS INTENDED DESTINATION BY ATC. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, HE OBSERVED A BALLOON AT MID-FIELD AND EXCUTED A GO-AROUND. DURING CLIMBOUT, HE LOST SIGHT OF THE FIELD AND CIRCLED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AS THE WX CONDITIONS DETERIORATED. HE SUBSEQUENTLY ATTEMPTED A LDG ON A GRAVEL ROAD WHERE HE OBSERVED WIRES IN FRONT OF HIM; HE ADDED FULL PWR TO GO-AROUND AND THE AMPHIBIOUS ACFT MISSED THE WIRES TO THE FRONT, BUT A WING STRUCK A UTILITY POLE GUY WIRE. THE ACFT SPUN AROUND TO THE SIDE AND CAME TO REST NOSE-UP AGAINST A UTILITY POLE. THE PLT TOLD A STATE TROOPER THAT HE HAD ATTEMPTED THE LDG BECAUSE HE FELT HE WAS GETTING LOW ON FUEL. LATER EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED APPROX 2 GALS. OF FUEL ON BOARD. NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKAGE WAS FOUND. THE FLT ORIGINATED AT SALISBURY, MD AT APPROX 1135 EDT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8543A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8543A-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 1102, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Consolidated Aeronautics Inc. LAKE LA-4-200 (LAKE LA-4-)
- Registry model: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-aeronautics-lake-la-4-200) (registry code 2400108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1102
- Airframe hours: 280
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Skelton,Homer D
- Registered owner: Homer D Skelton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SBY, SALISBURY, MD
- Destination: TRI, KINGSPORT, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 835 total, 16 in this make and model, 685 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19870523015819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870523015819A), May 23, 1987: Conaer LA4200, Sparta, NC, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit a wire while attempting a precautionary landing. Weather was deteriorating and fuel getting low.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.