# NTSB CHI87DEM07: Lake LA 4-200, N80111, Fife Lake, MI, June 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1987, 11:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Fife Lake, MI
- Coordinates: 44.570693, -85.349372 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5707&lon=-85.3494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEM07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEM07

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH WHILE IN CRUISE FLT. AFTER ALL EFFORTS TO SMOOTH IT OUT FAILED, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON FIFE LAKE. THE ACFT LANDED NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE AND WATER STARTED TO ENTER THE COCKPIT. THE ACFT SANK IN 25-30 FEET OF WATER. THE PLT DID NOT HAVE A SEA PLANE RATING AND ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE ACFT LOST POWER AND DROPPED 'ABRUPTLY AND SLAMMED INTO THE LAKE.' INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80111](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80111-2012-11-06), registration cancelled 2012-11-06, S/N 1064, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA 4-200
- 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 I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1064
- Airframe hours: 1357
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-AIB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Baron, Paul, doing business as Four Winns Boat Co.
- Registered owner: Ali Ahmed
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1987, 23 hours before
- Departed: CAD, CADILLAC, MI
- Destination: D83, BOYNE CITY, MI
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,210 total, 55 in this make and model, 8,950 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 14 nm away

## 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 19870606019039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870606019039A), Jun 6, 1987: Conaer LA4200, Fife Lake, MI, Substantial damage. Amphibian impacted nose low. Water landing to check engine. Impact split nose. Plane sank. Pilot single engine land

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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