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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 1, 1988 · Lake LA-4-200 · N8012A

Fox Lake, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Fox Lake, IL
Aircraft
Lake LA-4-200
Tail Number
N8012A
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI88LA228

THE PLT HAD JUST COMPLETED A COURSE AT THE LAKE ACFT FACTORY SCHOOL, BUT HAD NOT YET OBTAINED A SEAPLANE RATING. AFTER HE FLEW HOME, HE LANDED ON LOCAL LAKES. HE REPORTED THAT DRG A LANDING ON CALM WATER, HE EXPECTED TO HEAR A 'SLUSH SOUND' AS THE HULL TOUCHED THE WATER, BUT INSTEAD, THERE WAS A 'LOUD NOISE AS THE ACFT DECELERATED RAPIDLY & WATER CAME THRU THE FLOOR. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AMPHIBIOUS ACFT NOSED OVER & CAME TO REST WITH THE BOTTOM MISSING FROM THE COCKPIT TO THE TAIL SECTION. THE PLT INDCD THAT DRG A LANDING IN SHALLOW WATER ' . . . THE AIRCRAFT IMBEDDED ITSELF ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LAKE IN MUD.'

Full Narrative

THE PLT HAD JUST COMPLETED A COURSE AT THE LAKE ACFT FACTORY SCHOOL, BUT HAD NOT YET OBTAINED A SEAPLANE RATING. AFTER HE FLEW HOME, HE LANDED ON LOCAL LAKES. HE REPORTED THAT DRG A LANDING ON CALM WATER, HE EXPECTED TO HEAR A 'SLUSH SOUND' AS THE HULL TOUCHED THE WATER, BUT INSTEAD, THERE WAS A 'LOUD NOISE AS THE ACFT DECELERATED RAPIDLY & WATER CAME THRU THE FLOOR. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AMPHIBIOUS ACFT NOSED OVER & CAME TO REST WITH THE BOTTOM MISSING FROM THE COCKPIT TO THE TAIL SECTION. THE PLT INDCD THAT DRG A LANDING IN SHALLOW WATER ' . . . THE AIRCRAFT IMBEDDED ITSELF ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LAKE IN MUD.'

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLake LA-4-200
Tail NumberN8012A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1B · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 4 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data