# NTSB WPR25LA201: Lancair IV, N124GH, Alpine, WY, June 30, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 30, 2025, 11:11 local (17:11 UTC) - Place: Alpine, WY - Coordinates: 43.196042, -111.05355 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1960&lon=-111.0536&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 200474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200474/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200474 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA201 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of visual reference during the landing approach which resulted in a collision with water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Perception/orientation/illusion: visual illusion/disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kelliher Robert E LANCAIR IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md?model=05628TJ), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Kelliher Robert E LANCAIR IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05628TJ), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Kelliher Robert E LANCAIR IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05628TJ), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Kelliher Robert E LANCAIR IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=05628TJ), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Kelliher Robert E LANCAIR IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=05628TJ), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Kelliher Robert E LANCAIR IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05628TJ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing the airplane at an airport that was located on a lake peninsula. He reported that during the landing approach, he misjudged his altitude over the water, and the airplane struck the water short of the runway threshold. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the lower fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), nor did he respond to a follow up request for an interview. His account of the accident was provided directly to law enforcement personnel shortly after accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N124GH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N124GH), registered now, S/N LIV-115, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LANCAIR IV - Registry model: [Kelliher Robert E LANCAIR IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/kelliher-robert-e-lancair-iv) (registry code 05628TJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: LIV-115 - Year built: 1996 - Engines: Continental TSIO-550 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: EVW, Evanston, WY - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 46U, Alpine, runway 13/31, 5,827 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 500 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KAFO, 29 nm away - METAR: METAR KAFO 301715Z AUTO 32004KT 10SM CLR 22/06 A3031 RMK AO2= ## 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 20250630011419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250630011419A), Jun 30, 2025: Kelliher Robert E LANCAIR IV, Alpine, WY, Destroyed. While landing after part 91 flight, pilot turned for final to land at Alpine, WY, 46U. During the turn, aircraft lost altitude and impacted the palisade… ## Other investigations on N124GH (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 SEA99LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA061), May 8, 1999: Eugene Hughes Lancair IV (N124GH), Butte, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 15, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200474. 1.7 MB in all. - Bonneville county sheriff report (item 1, PDF, 4 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19721324&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_Bonneville%20County%20Sheriff%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1 photo, 720 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19745456&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.