# NTSB BFO87LA059: Lake LA-4-200, N59FC, Grafton, WV, August 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1987, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Grafton, WV
- Location: 39.3406° N, 80.0161° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grafton, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3406&lon=-80.0161&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11335
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11335/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA059

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - inadequate, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT DURING THE WATER LANDING THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED THE WAKE OF A BOAT THAT HAD CROSSED THE PATH OF THE ACFT. AS A RESULT THE ACFT BOUNCED ABOUT 20 FT HIGH. THE PLT APPLIED FULL POWER TO RECOVER; HOWEVER, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER. HE STARTED A GO-AROUND WHEN HE REALIZED THAT THE ACFT WAS APPROACHING THE SHORELINE AND THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT LANDING DISTANCE REMAINING ON THE LAKE. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO ACHIEVE A POSITIVE CLIMB BEFORE THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59FC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59FC-1998-09-17), registration cancelled 1998-09-17, S/N 997 (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: 997
- Airframe hours: 776
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott I Silverman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 19, 1986, 189 hours before
- Departed: 4G7, FAIRMONT, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 538 total, 116 in this make and model, 460 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGW

## 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 19870816076559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870816076559A), Aug 16, 1987: Conaer LA4200, Grafton, WV, Destroyed. Encountered wake from boat during water landing bounced and struck trees on shore impacting ground nose down.

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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