# NTSB NYC85FA088: Lake LA-4-200, N6024V, Swanton, VT, March 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1985, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Swanton, VT
- Location: 44.9245° N, 73.1194° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Swanton, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9245&lon=-73.1194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - flt control syst,elevator control - frozen (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flt control syst,elevator control - frozen (cause)
  - hydraulic system - not possible, pilot in command
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING NORMAL CRUISE FLT THE PLT BECAME UNABLE TO MOVE THE ELEVATOR CONTROL. THE FLT WAS CONTINUED TO THE PLANNED DESTINATION USING ELEVATOR TRIM FOR PITCH CONTROL. ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE RWY THE ACFT WAS CAUGHT BY A WIND GUST & PITCHED NOSE DOWN. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE DESCENT USING ELEVATOR TRIM & UNDERSHOT THE RWY. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED SOLID ICE FORMATIONS IN THE HULL ENCASING THE ELEVATOR CONTROL PUSH-PULL ROD. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE ELEVATOR CONTROL DURING PREFLIGHT. EXTERNAL HEAT WAS APPLIED, CONTROL MOVEMENT WAS POSSIBLE & THE ACFT MADE A NORMAL TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6024V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 777
- Airframe hours: 57045
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Livingston Mulligan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1984, 1,845 hours before
- Departed: AVON, NY
- Destination: 1B7, SWANTON, VT
- Airport: 1B7, Franklin Co., runway 1, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,078 total, 572 in this make and model, 937 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 5 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850325011949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850325011949A), Mar 25, 1985: Conaer LA4200, Swanton, VT, Destroyed. Aircraft nosed into ground on final approach in gusty wind conditions. Solid ice around elevator idle arm assembly.

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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