# NTSB SEA93FA091: Lake LA-4-200, N39375, Gold Bar, WA, April 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1993, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Gold Bar, WA
- Coordinates: 47.86082, -121.659988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8608&lon=-121.6600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42937/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA091

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A WATER LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND SUBMERGED IN 40 FT OF WATER AND APPROXIMATELY 40 FT FROM SHORE ON THE NE END OF LAKE ISABEL. IMPACT DAMAGE WAS INDICATIVE OF A NEAR-VERTICAL NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE AT IMPACT. THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN RISES RAPIDLY ON ALL SIDES OF THE LAKE, AND THE LAKE NARROWS TO APPROXIMATELY 530 FT WIDE AT THE NE END. THE PILOT'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN TAUGHT TO CIRCLE THE LAKE A FEW TIMES BEFORE LANDING TO ASSESS THE WATER CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39375](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39375-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 525, built 1972 (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: 525
- Airframe hours: 1595
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Helgeson, Robert C.
- Registered owner: Helgeson, Robert C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 1992, 23 hours before
- Departed: LAKE STEVENS, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 393 total, 96 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19930404010869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930404010869A), Apr 4, 1993: Conaer LA4200, Goldbar, WA, Substantial damage, 4 fatal. Impacted in lake and sank. Occupants all drowned. Wreckage indicates vertical impact such as from a stall.

## Other investigations on N39375 (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 NYC73FIG15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73FIG15), Sep 14, 1972: Lake LA-4 (N39375), Rockville, MD, 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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