# NTSB NYC93LA004: Lake LA-250, N8549Z, Franklin, NH, October 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1992, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, NH
- Location: 43.4539° N, 71.6699° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Franklin, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4539&lon=-71.6699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37248
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37248/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA004

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED TOUCHDOWN ON THE WATER WHICH RESULTED IN A PORPOISED LANDING.  ALSO CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE PORPOISE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH THE WATER.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE;  THE GLOSSY WATER CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN WATER LANDINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST RECEIVED HIS SEAPLANE RATING AND WAS MAKING HIS FIRST SOLO WATER LANDING.  THE PASSENGER SAID THE WATER WAS 'COMPLETELY GLOSSY.' DURING THE TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO PORPOISE AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE WATER NOSE FIRST AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8549Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 115
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lake Aircraft, Inc.
- Registered owner: Lake Aircraft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LCI, LACONIA, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 357 total, 45 in this make and model, 241 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCI, 25 nm away

## 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 19921003039899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921003039899A), Oct 3, 1992: Amtr AMPHIBIAN, Franklin, NH, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Trying land on glassy water failed to flare. Porpoised. Went into steep climb. Stalled. Nosed over on impact.

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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