# NTSB NYC04CA216: Consolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200, N44LD, New Milford, CT, September 24, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 24, 2004, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: New Milford, CT - Coordinates: 41.5, -73.456665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5000&lon=-73.4567&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Windsor Locks FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60200 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60200/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA216 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flair, which resulted in a nose over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - water - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing takeoffs on landings on a lake. During the flare, the airplane contacted the water, flipped over, and sank. The pilot reported that he intended to flair the airplane about 1 foot above water, however, he believed he actually flared "just inches" above the water. The pilot reported that the water surface had a slight ripple, and he had a good peripheral view of the shoreline during the approach. ## Factual narrative On September 24, 2004, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Consolidated Aeronautics Inc., Lake LA-4-200, N44LD, was substantially damaged while landing on Candlewood Lake, New Milford, Connecticut. The certificated airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated he had completed approximately 11 uneventful takeoffs and landings on Candlewood Lake, throughout the day of accident. With regards to his twelfth landing, the pilot stated: "...There were tree covered hills (elevation 400-500 feet) on my left, and low terrain with boat docks, homes, etc, to my right. The water had a slight ripple. I had good peripheral view of the shoreline giving me a good idea of water elevation. The approach was the same as my previous eleven that day. I rounded out, what I thought was one foot above the water, when I now believe I was in fact just inches above the water...." The airplane contacted the water, flipped over, and sank. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He reported 20,000 hours of total flight experience, which included 120 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44LD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44LD-2011-05-10), registration cancelled 2011-05-10, S/N 1107, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Consolidated Aeronautics Inc. Lake LA-4-200 - Registry model: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-aeronautics-lake-la-4-200) (registry code 2400108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1007 - Airframe hours: 1690 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jens Hoyt - Registered owner: Moose Lake Associates, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 2003, 40 hours before - Departed: DXR, Danbury, CT - Destination: NONE, New Milford, CT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 5, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 120 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: DXR, 9 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 20040924024889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040924024889A), Sep 24, 2004: Conaer LA4200, Candlewood Lake, CT, Destroyed. (-23) On September 24, 2004 pilot jen hoyt was performing take-off and landings at Candlewood Lake. After refueling at dxr the pilot returned to Candlewood… 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.