# NTSB SEA86FA126: Lake LA-4-250, N1403A, Blue River, OR, May 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1986, 15:22 local (22:22 UTC)
- Place: Blue River, OR
- Coordinates: 44.049953, -122.050872 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0500&lon=-122.0509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40283/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA126

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high terrain
  - terrain condition - rising

## Analysis

SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT FLYING NEAR THE EUGENE ARPT AT AN ALT OF 400 TO 500 FT AGL. THE ACFT WAS HEADING TOWARD THE BLUE RIVER. THE ACFT WAS THEN SEEN FLYING OVER THE BLUE RIVER FOREST RANGER STATION APRX 7 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME THE ACFT WAS AT AN ALT OF APRX 1000 FT AGL AS IT TURNED UP THE NORTH QUARTZ CREEK. THE ACFT THEN IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A BOX CANYON IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE APRX 1000 FT BELOW THE RIDGE LINE. THE PLT OPERATING HANDBOOK LISTS THE RATE OF CLIMB AT STANDARD CONDITIONS AS 680 FPM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1403A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1403A-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 30, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Lake LA-4-250
- Registry model: [Aerofab LAKE LA-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerofab-lake-la-250) (registry code 5110321) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry A. Berryman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: EUG, EUGENE, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total, 21 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EUG, 40 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 19860517017779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860517017779A), May 17, 1986: Conaer LA4250, Blue River, OR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft struck rising terrain in a box canyon. Density altitude was high and aircraft CG out of limits on takeoff.

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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