# NTSB CHI83LA173: Grumman G-44, N99431, Fond Du Lac, WI, April 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1983, 17:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Fond Du Lac, WI
- Coordinates: 43.769577, -88.440155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7696&lon=-88.4402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA173

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - electrical system - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels down landing in water - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT BECAME PREOCCUPIED WITH A MINOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND DID NOT RAISE THE LANDING GEAR BEFORE MAKING A LANDING ON WATER. UPON WATER CONTACT, THE LANDING GEAR EFFECTED ENOUGH DRAG TO NOSE THE AIRCRAFT OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99431](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99431), registered now, S/N 1265 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-44
- Registry model: [Grumman G-44](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-44) (registry code 3951502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1265
- Airframe hours: 8200
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James E. Schuster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FLD, FOND DU LAC, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 120 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19830419016539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830419016539A), Apr 19, 1983: Gulstm G44, Fond Du Lac, WI, Substantial damage. Had minor electrical problem. Preoccupied, landed in a lake with amphibious gear down. Flipped over.

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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