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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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NTSB Report

May 17, 1987 · Lake LA-4 · N527B

Stafford, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Stafford, VA
Aircraft
Lake LA-4
Tail Number
N527B
Operator
Shelton John W Jr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO87DIA01

DURING TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A SUBMERGED OBJECT WHICH PENETRATED THE HULL AND DISLODGED THE RIGHT PONTOON. THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET OF WATER AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. A BOAT CAME BY SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND TOWED THE AIRCRAFT INTO SHORE.

Full Narrative

DURING TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A SUBMERGED OBJECT WHICH PENETRATED THE HULL AND DISLODGED THE RIGHT PONTOON. THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET OF WATER AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. A BOAT CAME BY SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND TOWED THE AIRCRAFT INTO SHORE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLake LA-4
Tail NumberN527B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorShelton John W Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data