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NTSB Report

September 5, 1987 · Lake LA-4-200 · N39450

Coal Lake, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries)
Location
Coal Lake, AK
Aircraft
Lake LA-4-200
Tail Number
N39450
Operator
John a Steeby
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC87FA140

THE PILOT OF THE AIRPLANE STATED THAT HE HAD STEP-TAXIED TO THE EAST END OF THE LAKE IN PREPARATION FOR A TAKEOFF TO THE WEST. DURING THE TAKE OFF RUN, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE WAKE HE HAD JUST CREATED AND BECAME PREMATURELY AIRBORNE. HE REDUCED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE A FULL STALL LANDING, BUT STRUCK THE WATER HARD AND WAS THROWN FORWARD. AS HE WAS THROWN FORWARD, HE INADVERTEDLY PUSHED THE THROTTLE TO MAXIMUM. THE AIRPLANE SLEWED SIDEWAYS AND TURNED INVERTED. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER ESCAPED WITHOUT DIFFICULTY, BUT THE PILOT HAD TO DIVE UNDER THE AIRPLANE AND CUT THE OTHER TWO PASSENGERS FROM THEIR RETRAINTS. ONE OF THESE PASSENGERS LATER DIED FROM HER INJURIES.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT OF THE AIRPLANE STATED THAT HE HAD STEP-TAXIED TO THE EAST END OF THE LAKE IN PREPARATION FOR A TAKEOFF TO THE WEST. DURING THE TAKE OFF RUN, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE WAKE HE HAD JUST CREATED AND BECAME PREMATURELY AIRBORNE. HE REDUCED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE A FULL STALL LANDING, BUT STRUCK THE WATER HARD AND WAS THROWN FORWARD. AS HE WAS THROWN FORWARD, HE INADVERTEDLY PUSHED THE THROTTLE TO MAXIMUM. THE AIRPLANE SLEWED SIDEWAYS AND TURNED INVERTED. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER ESCAPED WITHOUT DIFFICULTY, BUT THE PILOT HAD TO DIVE UNDER THE AIRPLANE AND CUT THE OTHER TWO PASSENGERS FROM THEIR RETRAINTS. ONE OF THESE PASSENGERS LATER DIED FROM HER INJURIES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:23 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLake LA-4-200
Tail NumberN39450
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJohn a Steeby
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data