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NTSB Report
July 4, 1988 · Lake LA-4 · N6655L
Linden, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Linden, NJ
Aircraft
Lake LA-4
Tail Number
N6655L
Operator
Walter Fil
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC88LA176
ON FINAL TAKEOFF OF A FULL STOP LANDING PRACTICE, THE STUDENT PILOT WAS AT THE CONTROLS BUT WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT AS IT CLIMBED VERY SLOWLY. THE CFI TOOK OVER APPLYING LARGE AMOUNTS OF LEFT AILERON TO MAINTAIN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. AT THIS POINT, THE STUDENT OBSERVED CREASES IN THE UPPER SKIN OF THE LEFT WING. THE ACFT WAS ABLE TO CLEAR POWER LINES, BUT DUE TO THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN, THE CFI ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD IN MARSHLAND. THE ACFT BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN AND DECELERATED RAPIDLY AS THE ACFT SPUN AROUND. METALLURGICAL INSPECTION REVEALED THE LEFT WING CONTAINED A COMPRESSION BUCKLE WITH UPWARD BENDING OF THE WING. THE INTERNAL STRUCTURAL MEMBERS OF THE WING SHOWED SIGNS OF OVERLOAD/OVERSTRESS FAILURES.
NTSB Probable Cause
HARD LANDING DUE TO IMPROPER LEVEL OFF OF THE STUDENT AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. THE LEFT WING PARTIALLY FAILED BECAUSE OF OVERLOAD AND THE AIRCRAFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A SWAMP.
Full Narrative
ON FINAL TAKEOFF OF A FULL STOP LANDING PRACTICE, THE STUDENT PILOT WAS AT THE CONTROLS BUT WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT AS IT CLIMBED VERY SLOWLY. THE CFI TOOK OVER APPLYING LARGE AMOUNTS OF LEFT AILERON TO MAINTAIN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. AT THIS POINT, THE STUDENT OBSERVED CREASES IN THE UPPER SKIN OF THE LEFT WING. THE ACFT WAS ABLE TO CLEAR POWER LINES, BUT DUE TO THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN, THE CFI ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD IN MARSHLAND. THE ACFT BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN AND DECELERATED RAPIDLY AS THE ACFT SPUN AROUND. METALLURGICAL INSPECTION REVEALED THE LEFT WING CONTAINED A COMPRESSION BUCKLE WITH UPWARD BENDING OF THE WING. THE INTERNAL STRUCTURAL MEMBERS OF THE WING SHOWED SIGNS OF OVERLOAD/OVERSTRESS FAILURES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EDT
Nearest AirportLINDEN (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length2493 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLake LA-4
Tail NumberN6655L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWalter Fil
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO