# NTSB LAX87LA019: Lake LA4-180, N1118L, Folsom, CA, October 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1986, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Folsom, CA
- Coordinates: 38.670757, -121.13903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6708&lon=-121.1390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL CROSS COUNTRY PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON LAKE FOLSOM. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN SETTLING IN THE WATER THEN NOSED OVER AND SANK. THE PILOT STATED HE FELT THERE WAS AN OBJECT IN THE WATER THAT WAS STRUCK. WITNESSES HOWEVER, STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ONCE BRIEFLY, PULLED UP, THEN ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, IT NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS, THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED WITH A QUARTERING TAIL WIND. APRX 12 MI NE, THE SACRAMENTO WIND WAS FROM 310 DEG AT 16 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1118L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1118L-2013-01-30), registration cancelled 2013-01-30, S/N 280, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA4-180
- Registry model: [Lake LA-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4) (registry code 5110302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 280
- Airframe hours: 1618
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earl Allen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1986, 32 hours before
- Departed: AUN, AUBURN, CA
- Destination: FOLSOM, CA
- Airport: Folsom Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,241 total, 70 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 12 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 19861018049249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861018049249A), Oct 18, 1986: Conaer LA4, Folsom, CA, Destroyed. Steep final flared late. Pontoon dug in on a swell. Cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N1118L (3)

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 MKC73DCA23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCA23), May 11, 1973: Lake LA-4 (N1118L), St Charles, MO, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X3852](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3852), Sep 7, 1964: Lake LA4 (N1118L), Lake Texhoma, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X0861](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0861), Mar 9, 1964: Lake LA4 (N1118L), Knoxville, TN, 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.

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