# NTSB CHI88LA228: Lake LA-4-200, N8012A, Fox Lake, IL, September 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1988, 19:30 local (Sep 1, 1988, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Fox Lake, IL
- Coordinates: 42.389141, -88.170501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3891&lon=-88.1705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA228

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST COMPLETED A COURSE AT THE LAKE ACFT FACTORY SCHOOL, BUT HAD NOT YET OBTAINED A SEAPLANE RATING. AFTER HE FLEW HOME, HE LANDED ON LOCAL LAKES. HE REPORTED THAT DRG A LANDING ON CALM WATER, HE EXPECTED TO HEAR A 'SLUSH SOUND' AS THE HULL TOUCHED THE WATER, BUT INSTEAD, THERE WAS A 'LOUD NOISE AS THE ACFT DECELERATED RAPIDLY & WATER CAME THRU THE FLOOR. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AMPHIBIOUS ACFT NOSED OVER & CAME TO REST WITH THE BOTTOM MISSING FROM THE COCKPIT TO THE TAIL SECTION. THE PLT INDCD THAT DRG A LANDING IN SHALLOW WATER ' . . . THE AIRCRAFT IMBEDDED ITSELF ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LAKE IN MUD.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8012A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8012A), registered now, S/N 1065 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1065
- Airframe hours: 659
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Salata, John L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1988, 33 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 784 total, 55 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 32 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 19880831038629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880831038629A), Aug 31, 1988: Conaer LA4200, Fox Lake, IL, Destroyed. Appears pilot failed to flare on a water landing. Tore open hull and flipped over. Not seaplane rated.

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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