# NTSB NYC96LA138: Lake LA-4-200, N51DG, Wolfeboro, NH, July 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 1996, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Wolfeboro, NH - Location: 43.5936° N, 71.2116° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wolfeboro, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5936&lon=-71.2116&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39206 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39206/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA138 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and nose over. The glassy water condition was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The aircraft nosed over and submerged in water during a landing on Lake Wentworth. According to the pilot, while en route, he decided to do a touch-and-go landing on the lake. He reported: 'The lake was calm. I entered downwind, and went through the checklist, using the manufacturer's card. Then when turning base, I again went through the checklist by using the card. On final I did a visual again of landing gear, flaps, trim, prop, and mixture. I trimmed the plane for a glassy water landing, when I heard the keel touch the water with a nice sharp slicing sound, and then a loud roar. The next thing I knew I was looking up from the bottom of the lake. When I came up to the top of the water, the plane was in pieces. I was shortly picked up by 2 men and a woman in a boat.' The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction. The nose of the aircraft was totally destroyed, and was held onto the main fuselage by hydraulic lines, and electrical wiring. The fuselage longerons were bent upwards. The tail of the aircraft was bent up and forward. There were several propeller cut marks in the leading edges of the vertical and right horizontal stabilizer.' Examination of the aircraft did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 1996, about 1845 eastern daylight time, a Lake LA4-200, N51DG, was substantially damaged during landing at Lake Wentworth, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The private pilot, sole occupant, sustained minor injuries for the personal, local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, he departed Crystal Lake in Gilmanton, New Hampshire about 1830, destined for Laconia, New Hampshire. While en route he decided to do a touch-and-go landing on Lake Wentworth. The pilot reported: "The lake was calm. I entered downwind and went through the checklist, using the manufacturer's card. Then when turning base, I again went through the checklist by using the card. On final I did a visual again of landing gear, flaps, trim, prop, and mixture. I trimmed the plane for a glassy water landing, when I heard the keel touch the water with a nice sharp slicing sound, and then a loud roar. The next thing I knew I was looking up from the bottom of the lake. When I came up to the top of the water, the plane was in pieces. I was shortly picked up by 2 men and a woman in a boat." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction. The FAA reported "the aircraft came to rest in fifty-seven feet of water. The nose of the aircraft was totally destroyed, and was held onto the main fuselage by hydraulic lines, and electrical wiring. The fuselage longerons were bent upwards. The tail of the aircraft was bent up and forward. There were several propeller cut marks in the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer, and the leading edge of theright horizontal stabilizer. The engine and pylon were still attached to the fuselage. With exception of minor leading edge damage to the right win, both wings were not damaged. The wing center section was not deformed laterally or horizontally." The FAA examination of the aircraft did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51DG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51DG-1997-11-06), registration cancelled 1997-11-06, S/N 1031 (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: 1031 - Airframe hours: 697 - Engines: Lycoming LA-4-200 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David L. Penney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1996 - Departed: GILMANTON, NH - Destination: 8B8 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 316 total, 142 in this make and model, 204 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19960702047139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960702047139A), Jul 2, 1996: Conaer LA4, Wolfboro, NH, Destroyed. (-16) The pilot was attempting a glassey water landing on wentworth lake, Wolfboro, NH at 1845 on 07/02/96. Water conditions were not glassey water. Pilot and… 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.