# NTSB NYC88FA147: Lake LA4-250, N1405F, Shaftsbury, VT, May 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1988, 14:47 local (18:47 UTC)
- Place: Shaftsbury, VT
- Location: 43.0087° N, 73.1912° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shaftsbury, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0087&lon=-73.1912&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88FA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE LAKE AMPHIBIAN WAS BEING FLOWN WITH TWO FERRY TANKS INSTALLED IN THE CABIN. THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT TANKS AND 15 GALLONS IN THE FERRY TANKS. THE CENTER OF GRAVITY AT ZERO FUEL WEIGHT WAS 3/4 INCH PAST THE AFT LIMIT. WITH ADDITION OF FUEL THE POSITION OF THE CG REMAINED UNCHANGED, HOWEVER, THE AFT LIMIT OF THE ENVELOPE MOVED FORWARD WITH HIGHER WEIGHTS. A CONNECTION WHERE THE FERRY TANKS WERE PLUMBED INTO THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEM LEAKED AND ALLOWED AIR TO BE SUCKED INTO THE SYSTEM. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENGINE INTERMITTENT, THEN THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN FROM WHICH IT DID NOT RECOVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1405F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1405F-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 50, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA4-250
- Registry model: [Revo LAKE 250](https://openairdocs.org/model/revo-lake-250) (registry code 2400500) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50
- Airframe hours: 109
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Harry W. Rhule
- Registered owner: Lentomyyntioy C/O Capt H Rhule
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1988, 13 hours before
- Departed: AGC, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Destination: LCI, LACONIA, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19880529016239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880529016239A), May 29, 1988: Conaer LA4250, Shaftsbury, VT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit. Nosed up and spun into trees. Fuel system b nuts loose. Ferry fuel tanks and baggage beyond aft CG.

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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