# NTSB IAD04CA026: Lake LA-250, N802RA, Deep River, CT, June 27, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 27, 2004, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Deep River, CT - Coordinates: 41.382221, -72.385276 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3822&lon=-72.3853&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59510 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD04CA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59510/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04CA026 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced water landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - Nose over, landing ## Analysis After configuring the airplane for a water landing, the pilot leveled the airplane several feet above the water to bleed off airspeed. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced up about 1 foot. The nose veered to the left, and the airplane touched down at an oblique angle relative to the direction of flight. The tip of the right wing caught the water, and the airplane flipped over. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2004, about 0815 eastern daylight time, a Lake LA-250, N802RA, was substantially damaged during a water landing near Deep River, Connecticut. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the airplane was not operating on a flight plan. The personal flight, which departed Chester Airport (3B9), Chester, Connecticut, was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he made a normal approach for a water landing with the landing gear up, flaps down, and at an airspeed of 80 knots. He then leveled the airplane several feet above the water to bleed off airspeed, and noted that the water surface was "rippled." When he attempted to land, the hull of the airplane touched the water, and the airplane bounced up, about 1 foot. Just before a second touchdown, "the nose veered to the left," and the airplane touched down at an "oblique angle" relative to the direction of flight. To the pilot's best recollection, the tip of the right wing caught the water, and the airplane flipped, landing upside down with the nose pointing in a direction opposite of the approach. The pilot also noted that after the airplane flipped over, the cockpit immediately filled with water because the canopy had broken. He was held upside down in his seat by his shoulder harness, which he released, followed by the canopy latch. The pilot exited the airplane, "watched the bubbles," and floated to the surface. The pilot then crawled onto the hull of the airplane and waited until he was picked up by a boater. The weather reported at Meriden Markham Municipal Airport (MMK) Meridian, Connecticut, located 21 nautical miles to the northwest, at 0751, included calm winds, 10 statute miles visibility, clear skies below 12,000 feet, temperature 62 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 48 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.06 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N802RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N802RA-2017-10-26), registration cancelled 2017-10-26, S/N 47 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lake LA-250 - Registry model: [Aerofab LAKE LA-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerofab-lake-la-250) (registry code 5110321) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47 - Airframe hours: 1068 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 2003, 50 hours before - Departed: 3B9, Chester, CT - Airport: 3B9, Chester Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 50 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MMK, 21 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 20040627019489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040627019489A), Jun 27, 2004: Lakeac 250LAKE, Deep River, CT, Substantial damage. (-23) Prior to landing on CT River the pilot states he did a thorough reconn of the River and no obstructions were noted. Pilot states there were ripples on… 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.