# NTSB CHI98LA207: Lake LA4-200, N80026, Peshtigo, WI, June 17, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1998, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Peshtigo, WI
- Coordinates: 45.050567, -87.739234 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0506&lon=-87.7392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA207

## Probable cause

the pilot misjudged the flare and inadvertently dragged the right sponson in the water.  A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model aircraft.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - water loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

In a phone conversation, the pilot reported that he looked over the area before he landed and did not see anything in the water and did not see anything off the right side.  He reported that the right wing caught the water.  He reported, 'I think it was the glassy water...and I thought I was higher than I was.'  He reported, '...the wing hit the water and the airplane ground looped on me.' The pilot reported that he had 19 hours in make and model aircraft.

## Factual narrative

On June 17, 1998, at 1445 central daylight time, a Lake LA4-200, N80026, was substantially damaged when the right wingtip struck the water during a crosswind water landing.  The private pilot and one passenger were not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed from Marinette, Wisconsin, and was making a water landing on the Peshtigo River, near Peshtigo, Wisconsin.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

In a phone conversation, the pilot reported that he looked over the area before he landed and did not see anything in the water and did not see anything off the right side.  He reported that the right wing caught the water.  He reported, "I think it was the glassy water...and I thought I was higher than I was."  He reported, "...the wing hit the water and ground looped on me."

The pilot reported that he had 19 hours in make and model aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80026](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80026), registered now, S/N 1007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Lake LA4-200
- 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: 1007
- Airframe hours: 700
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dave  A. Olsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1998, 39 hours before
- Departed: MNM, MENOMINEE, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 347 total, 19 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MNM, 10 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 19980617014029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980617014029A), Jun 17, 1998: Conaer LA4200, Peshtigo, WI, Substantial damage. Acft was performing a water landing when it encounterd a crosswind. Acft looped around. (.4)in a phone conversation, the pilot reported that he looked over the…

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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