# NTSB NYC88LA165: Lake LA-4-200, N6110V, Wantagh, NY, June 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1988, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Wantagh, NY
- Coordinates: 40.659267, -73.51052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6593&lon=-73.5105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36169/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA165

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - sand bar
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A RETURN VFR FLIGHT TO REPUBLIC AIRPORT AFTER HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE POWER LOSS AND PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING WITH THE GEARS RETRACTED. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED BETWEEN TWO SAND DUNES AND INCURRED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE STILL READ FULL WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED AFTER FLYING FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6110V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6110V-1994-05-10), registration cancelled 1994-05-10, S/N 800 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 800
- Airframe hours: 1021
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward J. Vallarella
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1988, 37 hours before
- Departed: NEW BEDFORD, MA
- Destination: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 313 total, 56 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point -0 °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 19880614020129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880614020129A), Jun 14, 1988: Conaer LA4200, Wantagh, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit while flying low over a beach due to fuel exhaustion. Landed between sand dunes gear up. No fuel check.

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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