# NTSB CHI95LA065: Lake LA-4-200, Int'L Falls, MN, January 4, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1995, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Int'L Falls, MN
- Coordinates: 48.579326, -93.399627 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5793&lon=-93.3996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA065

## Probable cause

engine oil exhaustion due to a frozen crankcase breather line and noncompliance with an airworthiness directive.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, unknown (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE EXPERIENCED LOW OIL TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE ABOUT TEN MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF.  HE TURNED AROUND TO RETURN TO INTERNATIONAL FALLS.  ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE 'SHUDDERED' AND LOST POWER.  HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A SWAMPY AREA.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CRANKCASE BREATHER TUBE WAS SOLIDLY BLOCKED WITH ICE AND OIL WAS EXPELLED THROUGH THE FRONT SEAL.  AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH.

## Factual narrative

On January 4, 1995, about 1115 central standard time, a Lake LA- 4-200 airplane, CFGDZ, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near International Falls, Minnesota.  The solo commercial pilot reported no injuries.  The personal flight originated about 1100 in International Falls and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.   The planned destination was La Crosse, Wisconsin.  A flight plan was not filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

In his written statement, the pilot reported that he experienced low oil temperature and pressure about ten minutes after takeoff.

He turned around to return to International Falls.  About five minutes later, the engine "shuddered" and lost power.  He executed a forced landing in a swampy area.  Small shrubs and trees were encountered which damaged the wings, lower rear fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer.

The pilot reported the crankcase breather tube was solidly blocked with ice and oil was expelled through the front seal.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive 64- 17-05,  was issued August 28, 1964 and was applicable to Lake LA- 4, LA-4A, and LA-4P airplanes.  The directive specified a modification to the breather tube by the incorporation of a "whistle slot" to preclude loss of engine oil due to icing.  FAA inspectors who examined the wreckage reported this type of modification was not incorporated on the accident airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFGDZ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 568
- Airframe hours: 750
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stuart Page Loten
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1994, 1 hours before
- Destination: LSE, LA CROSSE, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; foreign, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -2 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INL, 8 nm away

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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