# NTSB DEN89LA193: Aerofab Lake LA-250, N84164, Bullfrog, UT, August 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1989, 13:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Bullfrog, UT
- Coordinates: 37.569541, -110.319084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5695&lon=-110.3191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA193

## Probable cause

A SUBMERGED OBJECT IN THE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - water
  - object - submerged object (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ATP PLT WAS PRACTICING 'SPLASH AND GO LANDINGS' ON LAKE POWELL WITH TWO PSGRS.  HE LANDED TO THE WEST IN WINDS HE ESTIMATED WERE LESS THAN 5 KTS.  HE SAID THAT DURING THE LANDING RUN, THE ACFT STRUCK AN UNSEEN SUBMERGED OBJECT, POSSIBLY A LOG FLOATING BENEATH THE SURFACE; THE ACFT SANK IN 130 FT OF WATER.  THE OBJECT PENETRATED THE HULL BETWEEN THE RUDDER PEDALS AND BROKE BOTH OF THE PLT'S LEGS.  HE SAID THE IMPACT SEPARATED THE CABIN FROM THE EMPENNAGE.  THE FRONT SEAT PSGR WAS EJECTED THRU THE WINDSHIELD ALONG WITH THE SEAT, SEAT BELT & SHOULDER HARNESS ATTACHED.  WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED IN THE WATER.  ALL 3 OCCUPANTS WERE RESCUED BY A PASSING SKI BOAT.  THE PLT WAS AIR LIFTED TO PAGE, ARIZONA, FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT.  A POST-SALVAGE INVESTIGATION VERIFIED HULL PENETRATION IN THE AREA OF THE PLT'S FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84164](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84164-1990-07-20), registration cancelled 1990-07-20, S/N 75 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerofab Inc. LAKE LA-250 (LAKE LA-25)
- Registry model: [Aerofab LAKE LA-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerofab-lake-la-250) (registry code 5110321) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75
- Airframe hours: 120
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen T. Rogers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1989, 74 hours before
- Departed: LAKE POWELL, UT
- Airport: Lake Powell

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,994 total, 387 in this make and model, 3,866 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890811028999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890811028999A), Aug 11, 1989: Conaer LA4250, Bullfrog, UT, Substantial damage. Struck a unseen object possible submerged log on water landing. Hull ripped open. Amphibian flipped over and sank.

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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