# NTSB SEA90LA104: Aerofab Lake LA-250, N1404V, Spokane, WA, June 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1990, 17:00 local (Jun 22, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Spokane, WA
- Coordinates: 47.649456, -117.430007 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6495&lon=-117.4300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA104

## Probable cause

THE PILOT WAS TAXIING THE AIRPLANE AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - water loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

DURING A TOUCH AND GO LANDING, THE PILOT KEPT THE SPEED UP AND STEP TAXIED ALONG THE RIVER TO CLEAR A BEND. DURING THE 20 DEGREE TURN TO THE LEFT, THE AIRPLANE SKIPPED TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT WING CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE WATER AND THE AIRPLANE WATER LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1404V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Aerofab Inc. LAKE LA-250 (LAKE LA-25)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 43
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tanglefoot Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SFF
- Airport: SFF, Felts Fld, runway 3, 6,000 × 100 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 582 total, 400 in this make and model, 491 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900621021499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900621021499A), Jun 21, 1990: Conaer LA4250, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. Turned for bend in river while step taxiing skipped sideways dipped wing and water looped.

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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