# NTSB NYC88LA198: Lake LA-4-200, N2883P, Montpelier, VT, July 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1988, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Montpelier, VT
- Location: 44.2664° N, 72.5715° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Montpelier, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2664&lon=-72.5715&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36195/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA198

## Probable cause

ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION OF WATER AND RUST PARTICLES IN FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER EXPERIENCING AN ENGINE PROBLEM DURING A FERRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT KNAPP STATE AIRPORT IN MONTPELIER, VERMONT. HOWEVER, DURING THE APPROACH THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A NEARBY FIELD. DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED WITH WATER AND PARTICLES OF RUST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2883P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2883P-2011-03-02), registration cancelled 2011-03-02, S/N 937, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 937
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Northern Aircraft Marketing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1988, 2 hours before
- Departed: BTV, BURLINGTON, VT
- Destination: LACONIA, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,495 total, 60 in this make and model, 12,100 as pilot in command, 206 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °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 19880730028429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880730028429A), Jul 30, 1988: Conaer LA4200, Montpelier, VT, Substantial damage. Engine surged fuel pressure zero, then quit. Hit ditch and nosed over landing. Rust water corrosion in fuel system.

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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