# NTSB SEA90LA132: Lake LA-4-200, N6686L, Bellingham, WA, July 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1990, 18:15 local (Jul 13, 1990, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Bellingham, WA
- Location: 48.7534° N, 122.4702° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bellingham, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7534&lon=-122.4702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA132

## Probable cause

COLLISION WITH A SUBMERGED OBJECT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - terrain condition - water
  - object - submerged object (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE DOING A SERIES OF LANDINGS ON LAKE WHATCOM. DURING THE SECOND TAKEOFF RUN, THE LAKE AMPHIBIAN STRUCK AND UNSEEN OBJECT, TEARING A HOLE IN THE HULL. THE AIRCRAFT SANK A FEW MINNUTES AFTER THE OCCUPANTS ESCAPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6686L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6686L), registered now, S/N 449, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4-200
- Registry model: [Lake LA-4-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4-200) (registry code 5110310) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 449
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Whidbey Island Navy Flying Cl
- Departed: NUW, WHIDBEY NAS, WA
- Destination: LAKE WHATCOM, WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Lake Whatcom

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 9,360 total, 10 in this make and model, 5,025 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19900713025459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900713025459A), Jul 13, 1990: Conaer LA4200, Bellingham, WA, Destroyed. Struck a submerged object during water takeoff. Aircraft rolled over and sank with large hole in hull.

## Other investigations on N6686L (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI87LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA077), Feb 4, 1987: Lake LA-4-200 (N6686L), Bridgman, MI, substantial damage

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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