# NTSB NYC85LA188: Lake LA-4, N6668L, Sidney, ME, July 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1985, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sidney, ME
- Location: 44.4131° N, 69.7289° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sidney, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4131&lon=-69.7289&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ACFT WAS ON STEP AND IN INDICATING ABOUT 45 KTS AIRSPEED. IT THEN ENCOUNTERED A BOAT WAKE AND BEGAN FLYING. THE ACFT PORPOISED 2 OR 3 TIMES AND THEN COLLIDED WITH THE WATER IN AN ESTIMATED 10 TO 15 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PWR WAS OFF. DURING THE COLLISION, THE LEFT PONTOON BECAME DETACHED AND THE ACFT BEGAN TO FILL WITH WATER. THE ACFT SANK IN ABOUT 4 MINUTES ACCORDING TO THE PLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6668L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6668L-1986-01-23), registration cancelled 1986-01-23, S/N 431 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4
- Registry model: [Lake LA-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4) (registry code 5110302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 431
- Airframe hours: 765
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard T. Dick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1985
- Destination: MOOSEHEAD LAKE, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 375 total, 375 in this make and model, 375 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUG

## 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 19850721059119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850721059119A), Jul 21, 1985: Conaer LA4, Sidney, ME, Substantial damage. Encountered boat wake and became airborne. Porpoised until left pontoon became detached. Aircraft sank in 4 minutes

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.