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NTSB Report
May 29, 1988 · Lake LA4-250 · N1405F
Shaftsbury, VT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Shaftsbury, VT
Aircraft
Lake LA4-250
Tail Number
N1405F
Operator
Harry W Rhule
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC88FA147
THE LAKE AMPHIBIAN WAS BEING FLOWN WITH TWO FERRY TANKS INSTALLED IN THE CABIN. THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT TANKS AND 15 GALLONS IN THE FERRY TANKS. THE CENTER OF GRAVITY AT ZERO FUEL WEIGHT WAS 3/4 INCH PAST THE AFT LIMIT. WITH ADDITION OF FUEL THE POSITION OF THE CG REMAINED UNCHANGED, HOWEVER, THE AFT LIMIT OF THE ENVELOPE MOVED FORWARD WITH HIGHER WEIGHTS. A CONNECTION WHERE THE FERRY TANKS WERE PLUMBED INTO THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEM LEAKED AND ALLOWED AIR TO BE SUCKED INTO THE SYSTEM. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENGINE INTERMITTENT, THEN THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN FROM WHICH IT DID NOT RECOVER.
Full Narrative
THE LAKE AMPHIBIAN WAS BEING FLOWN WITH TWO FERRY TANKS INSTALLED IN THE CABIN. THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT TANKS AND 15 GALLONS IN THE FERRY TANKS. THE CENTER OF GRAVITY AT ZERO FUEL WEIGHT WAS 3/4 INCH PAST THE AFT LIMIT. WITH ADDITION OF FUEL THE POSITION OF THE CG REMAINED UNCHANGED, HOWEVER, THE AFT LIMIT OF THE ENVELOPE MOVED FORWARD WITH HIGHER WEIGHTS. A CONNECTION WHERE THE FERRY TANKS WERE PLUMBED INTO THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEM LEAKED AND ALLOWED AIR TO BE SUCKED INTO THE SYSTEM. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENGINE INTERMITTENT, THEN THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN FROM WHICH IT DID NOT RECOVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:47 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLake LA4-250
Tail NumberN1405F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHarry W Rhule
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT