# NTSB NYC90FA171: Lake LA-4-200, N8011M, Gt. Barrington, MA, July 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1990, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Gt. Barrington, MA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36541
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36541/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA171

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN THE ENGINE, THE INADEQUATE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTION, LOW COMPRESSION, AND IMPROPER MAGNETO TIMING. A FACTOR WAS THE RESULTANT DETERIORATED CLIMB PERFORMANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - powerplant - low compression (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - other (cause)
  - maintenance - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 50 FEET AGL AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TWICE BY LOWERING THE NOSE, LOSING ALTITUDE EACH TIME. THE AIRPLANE THEN BANKED RIGHT BEFORE FLYING INTO TREES ABOUT 1,500 FEET FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A RESIDENTIAL BACKYARD. THE PASSENGER ESCAPED BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESCUE THE PILOT BEFORE FIRE CONSUMED THE CABIN. AN ENGINE RUN WAS SUCCESSFUL BUT FAILED TO ATTAIN AIR FLOW AND RPM TEST POINTS. DISASSEMBLY REVEALED CORROSION THROUGHOUT INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN INACTIVE FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THERE WAS ALSO EVIDENCE OF MULTIPLE WORN COMPONENTS AND METAL CONTAMINATION. COMPRESSION ON CYLINDERS 1-4 WAS 65/80, 75/80, AND 69/80 RESPECTIVELY. LEFT MAGNETO TIMING WAS 24.5 DEGREES BTC VICE THE CORRECT TIMING OF 20 DEGREES BTC. AN ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON 4/5/90. THE ENGINE WAS NOT CAPABLE OF PRODUCING RATED POWER DUE TO MECHANICAL INEFFICIENCY AND WEAR LIMITS BEING EXCEEDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8011M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8011M-1991-05-23), registration cancelled 1991-05-23, S/N 1061 (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: 1061
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul E. Thorn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1990
- Destination: LAKE GARFIELD, MA
- Airport: GBR, Great Barrington, runway 29, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 655 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19900725028549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900725028549A), Jul 25, 1990: Conaer LA4200, Great Barringto, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed on takeoff,unable to climb. Engine teardown revealed severe corrosion and several discrepancies.

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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