# NTSB CHI92LA253: Lake LA-4, N8WW, Pontiac, MI, August 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1992, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Location: 42.6492° N, 83.2874° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pontiac, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6492&lon=-83.2874&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA253

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S DIRECTING A TURN TO CHANGE HEADING IN THE FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - water
  - flare - initiated, dual student
  - object - other person
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Other gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,float assembly - overload
  - proper alignment - exceeded, dual student

## Analysis

IN THE FLARE FOR A WATER LANDING, A DUAL STUDENT INITIATED A TURN AT THE INSTRUCTORS INSTANCE TO AVOID A BOAT NEAR THEIR LANDING PATH.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED WITH SIDE LOADING AND SHED ITS LEFT SPONSON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8WW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 379
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1AA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Howard Fired & Thomas Hendren
- Registered owner: Howard Fired & Thomas Hendren
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Airport: NONE, Elizabeth Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 3 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 19920813032979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920813032979A), Aug 13, 1992: Conaer LA4, Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. Boat crossed amphibians path as student flared to land. CFI advised her to alter course. Water impact severed float

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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