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NTSB Report
August 26, 1988 · Lake LA-4-200 · N1299L
Lakeside, MT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lakeside, MT
Aircraft
Lake LA-4-200
Tail Number
N1299L
Operator
Cook Lew W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA194
THE PLT AND HIS PAX DEPARTED BZN AT 1500 MDT AND FLEW TO HUGHES BAY ON FLATHEAD LAKE, NEAR LAKESIDE, MT, ARRIVING AT APRX 1700. THE PLT SAID HE NOTICED A DIMINISHING WAVE PATTERN FROM THE SOUTHWEST AND A STRONG GUST SURFACE PATTERN FROM THE EAST. THERE WERE NO WHITECAPS BUT THE WATER WAS ROUGHER TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE. HE ESTIMATED THE WINDS WERE FROM THE EAST AT 5 KTS. THE PLT DRAGGED THE INTENDED LANDING AREA AND DECIDED IT WAS SAFE TO LAND. PLT MADE STEP-LANDING. ACFT GRAZED FIRST WAVE AT 65 MPH, BOUNCED OFF SECOND WAVE, AND SETTLED ON THIRD WAVE. IT THEN SPUN 90 DEG TO THE RIGHT. THE PLT LATER DISCOVERED THE LEFT FLOAT COLLAPSED, THE RIGHT FLOAT CRUSHED, AND OTHER SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AFT FUSELAGE. THE PLT SUSPECTS HE STRUCK FLOATING DEBRIS IN THE LAKE. THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK RECOMMENDS A FULL STALL LANDING IN HIGH WIND/WAVE CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT AND HIS PAX DEPARTED BZN AT 1500 MDT AND FLEW TO HUGHES BAY ON FLATHEAD LAKE, NEAR LAKESIDE, MT, ARRIVING AT APRX 1700. THE PLT SAID HE NOTICED A DIMINISHING WAVE PATTERN FROM THE SOUTHWEST AND A STRONG GUST SURFACE PATTERN FROM THE EAST. THERE WERE NO WHITECAPS BUT THE WATER WAS ROUGHER TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE. HE ESTIMATED THE WINDS WERE FROM THE EAST AT 5 KTS. THE PLT DRAGGED THE INTENDED LANDING AREA AND DECIDED IT WAS SAFE TO LAND. PLT MADE STEP-LANDING. ACFT GRAZED FIRST WAVE AT 65 MPH, BOUNCED OFF SECOND WAVE, AND SETTLED ON THIRD WAVE. IT THEN SPUN 90 DEG TO THE RIGHT. THE PLT LATER DISCOVERED THE LEFT FLOAT COLLAPSED, THE RIGHT FLOAT CRUSHED, AND OTHER SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AFT FUSELAGE. THE PLT SUSPECTS HE STRUCK FLOATING DEBRIS IN THE LAKE. THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK RECOMMENDS A FULL STALL LANDING IN HIGH WIND/WAVE CONDITIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 MDT
Nearest AirportFlathead Lake (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLake LA-4-200
Tail NumberN1299L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCook Lew W
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1B · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 22 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC