# NTSB NYC97LA027: Lake LA-4, N7632L, Gallipolis, OH, December 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 8, 1996, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Gallipolis, OH - Coordinates: 38.819137, -82.190345 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8191&lon=-82.1903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 21, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39307/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA027 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a collision with a hangar and parked aircraft. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's encounter with rain, sleet, snow, and icing conditions, and airframe icing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - flight into adverse weather - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - rain (contributing factor) - weather condition - snow (contributing factor) - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - airframe - ice (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - aircraft parked/standing - object - hangar/airport building ## Analysis The pilot reported that about 30 miles from the airport, the airplane encountered snow and then approximately '...10 miles out encountered freezing rain/sleet/snow.' According to the pilot, '...airplane was flying poorly because of ice but still controllable. At one point need[ed] substantial right rudder to maintain level flight. Decided to approach high since I know the stall speed would be higher with the ice. Normal approach in this airplane is 70 MPH over the numbers. I crossed the numbers [around] 82 MPH.' The pilot stated that while on final approach for runway 23 the winds shifted from 230 degrees to 320 degrees '...with hard buffeting gusts over the hills to my right. As soon as the airplane went into ground effect it stopped flying - came down hard on the left main - I applied some power to regain control - the plane came down hard just off the runway in soft soil....' Subsequently, the airplane came to a stop after collided with a parked airplane and a hangar. ## Factual narrative On December 8, 1996, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Lake LA-4 airplane, N7632L, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a parked airplane and a hangar during an aborted landing on runway 23 at Gallia-Meigs Airport (GAS) in Gallipolis, Ohio. The student pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight originated in Troy, Michigan at approximately 1030 central standard time with an intended destination of Gallipolis, Ohio (GAS). The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported to the Gallipolis Police Department that while "... making a standard approach a strong crosswind blew the aircraft - an attempt to go around was made but the aircraft stalled - went off the runway and damaged a parked [airplane]." A witness reported to the police that the airplane bounced upon touchdown, reached an altitude of eight to ten feet, and turned to the left. He stated that the airplane then impacted the ramp, slid several feet, struck a parked airplane and then collided with a hangar. In a subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that 30 miles from Gallia-Meigs Airport the airplane encountered snow and then approximately "...10 miles out encountered freezing rain/sleet/snow." He stated that the "...airplane was flying poorly because of ice but still controllable. At one point need[ed] substantial right rudder to maintain level flight. Decided to approach high since I know the stall speed would be higher with the ice. Normal approach in this airplane is 70 MPH over the numbers. I crossed the numbers [around] 82 MPH." The pilot reported that while on final approach for Runway 23 the winds shifted from 230 degrees to 320 degrees "...with hard buffeting gusts over the hills to my right. As soon as the airplane went into ground effect it stopped flying - came down hard on the left main - I applied some power to regain control - the plane came down hard just off the runway in soft soil...." struck the parked airplane and the hangar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7632L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7632L-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 405, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lake LA-4 - Registry model: [Lake LA-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4) (registry code 5110302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 405 - Airframe hours: 1941 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James H. Srock - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1995, 48 hours before - Departed: 7D2, TROY, MI - Airport: GAS, Gallia Meigs, runway 23, 3,998 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 72 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HTS, 34 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 19961208042419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961208042419A), Dec 8, 1996: Conaer LA4, Gallipolis,, OH, Substantial damage. Crosswind drift. Plane began go around. Stalled. Hit parked aircraft. Airframe icing factor. Bounced on landing. (-23) on December 8, 1996, at 1400 EST, a lake… 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.