# NTSB SEA90LA147: Lake LA-250, N14004, Rawlins, WY, July 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1990, 14:13 local (20:13 UTC)
- Place: Rawlins, WY
- Coordinates: 41.780677, -107.219528 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7807&lon=-107.2195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA147

## Probable cause

PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF THE AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB CAPABILITY IN CONDITIONS OF HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND UNANTICIPATED ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND RISING TERRAIN WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - climb - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE LAKE AMPHIBIAN TOOK OFF AND TURNED TOWARD RISING TERRAIN, WHERE HE ANTICIPATED FINDING SLOPE LIFT, DUE TO THE PREVAILING WINDS. HE STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED SINK INSTEAD, AND HE HAD UNSUFFICIENT TERRAIN CLEARANCE TO MAKE A COURSE REVERSAL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS APPROXIMATELY 9070 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14004](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14004), registered now, S/N 8, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-250
- Registry model: [Aerofab LAKE LA-4-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerofab-lake-la-4-250) (registry code 5110320) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41585, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 008
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lake Aircraft
- Destination: S87, WEISER, ID
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: RWL, Rawlins Muni, runway 22, 7,008 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 12,300 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 10,137 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWL, 3 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 19900727028889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900727028889A), Jul 27, 1990: Conaer LA4250, Rawlings, WY, Substantial damage. Turned toward rising terrain on climbout for thermals but got downdraft. Unable to clear terrain. Force landed.

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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