# NTSB SEA83FA204: Lake LA-4-200, N1251L, Eastsound, WA, September 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1983, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Eastsound, WA
- Coordinates: 48.619125, -122.869148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6191&lon=-122.8691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA204

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GLASSY WATER DURING A LOW ALT MANEUVER. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES TO DESCEND FROM ABOUT 100 FT IN A FLAT ATTITUDE,TOUCH DOWN,SKIM ALONG THE WATER THEN THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE OCCUPANTS WERE RECOVERED BY A SAILBOAT. ONE OF THE 3 SURVIVED. THE ACFT FLOATED A WHILE AND THEN SANK IN 240 FT OF WATER. THERE WERE CONSIDERABLE BIRD FEATHERS AMONG THE WRECKAGE DEBRIS. ATTEMPTS TO LOCATE AND RAISE THE ACFT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1251L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Lake LA-4-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 749
- Airframe hours: 375
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-260-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ben A. Brower
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 10, 1983, 30 hours before
- Destination: S43, SNOHOMISH, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,800 total, 255 in this make and model, 4,700 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19830923050719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830923050719A), Sep 23, 1983: Conaer LA4200, Eastsound, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft was observed flying low over water and then pitch nose down into water. Bird feathers were in crash area.

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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