# NTSB NYC88LA182: Lake LA-4-200, N5033L, Candlewood Lake, CT, July 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1988, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Candlewood Lake, CT
- Location: 41.4931° N, 73.4368° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Candlewood Lake Club, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4931&lon=-73.4368&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36183/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA182

## 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)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - water loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)

## Analysis

THE LA-4-200 MADE A TAKEOFF UNDER REPORTED CONDITIONS OF GUSTY WIND AND WAVES OF 1 TO 2 FEET. THE MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED WAVE HEIGHT FOR THE AIRCRAFT IS 1 FOOT. THE PILOT REPORTED HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF DUE TO A PERSON ON A JET SKI IN HIS WAY AND AS HE TRIED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT A WING DUG INTO THE WATER AND THE AIRCRAFT WATERLOOPED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS TWO PASSENGERS AND HIMSELF WERE RESCUED BY BOATERS AND THE AIRCRAFT SANK WITHIN 15 SECONDS. NO WITNESSES WERE FOUND WHO SAW THE JET SKI. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5033L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5033L-1990-02-14), registration cancelled 1990-02-14, S/N 490 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4-200
- Registry model: [Lake LA-4-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4-200) (registry code 5110310) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LA-4-200
- Airframe hours: 1425
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James A.Marquis
- Registered owner: Mutual Financial Assoc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1987, 240 hours before
- Departed: DANBURY, CT
- Destination: 11N, NEW MILFORD, CT
- Airport: Candlewood Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 150 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19880716026919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880716026919A), Jul 16, 1988: Conaer LA4200, Candlewood Lake, CT, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff in rough water and waterlooped the aircraft. Blamed jet skier.

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.