# NTSB CHI99LA339: Lake LA-4, N1137L, Ann Arbor, MI, September 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 12, 1999, 13:27 local (17:27 UTC) - Place: Ann Arbor, MI - Location: 42.2761° N, 83.7312° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ann Arbor, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2761&lon=-83.7312&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA339 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47300/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA339 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper touchdown during a water landing. ## 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 - flare/touchdown - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot told police he was going to practice a touch and go landing on the lake. He said that on touchdown the airplane decelerated as if 'the brakes were locked,' and the airplane cartwheeled. The pilot did not indicate any mechanical problem with the airplane. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the wreckage was conducted. The inspector said the airplane was broken into three major pieces. He said his examination of the wreckage failed to reveal any pre-impact anomalies. He said landing gear was in the retracted position. He said that when he talked to police authorities they told him, 'According to witnesses [the pilot] was attempting a landing on Bruin Lake when he lost control of the aircraft. One of the sponsons hit the water causing the aircraft to flip.' ## Factual narrative On September 12, 1999, at 1327 eastern daylight time, a Lake LA-4, N1137L, sustained substantial damage during a landing on Bruin Lake, about 18 miles northwest of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The airline transport rated pilot received serious injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed Pontiac, Michigan, about 1300. The pilot told police authorities that he was going to practice a touch and go landing on the lake. He said that on touchdown the airplane decelerated as if "the brakes were locked." The pilot said he did not know what caused the accident. The pilot did not indicate any mechanical problem with the airplane. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the wreckage was conducted. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector said the airplane was broken into three major pieces and was recovered from the lake the day following the accident. He said his examination of the wreckage failed to reveal any pre-impact anomalies. He said landing gear was in the retracted position. He said that when he talked to police authorities they told him, "According to witnesses [the pilot] was attempting a landing on Bruin Lake when he lost control of the aircraft. One of the sponsons hit the water causing the aircraft to flip." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1137L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1137L-2000-05-30), registration cancelled 2000-05-30, S/N 299 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lake LA-4 - Registry model: [Lake LA-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4) (registry code 5110302) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 299 - Airframe hours: 1900 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Francis B. Mclaughlin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1999, 3 hours before - Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,254 total, 65 in this make and model, 3,129 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ARB, 18 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 19990912029639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990912029639A), Sep 12, 1999: Conaer LA4, Ann Arbor, MI, Destroyed. (.19) On September 12, 1999, at 1327 eastern daylight time, a lake LA-4, N1137L, sustained substantial damage during a landing on Bruin Lake, about 18 miles… ## Other investigations on N1137L (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX65F0028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX65F0028), Mar 29, 1965: Lake LA-4 (N1137L), Los Angeles, CA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.