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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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October 18, 1986 · Lake LA4-180 · N1118L

Folsom, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 18, 1986
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Folsom, CA
Aircraft
Lake LA4-180
Tail Number
N1118L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA019

DURING A LOCAL CROSS COUNTRY PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON LAKE FOLSOM. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN SETTLING IN THE WATER THEN NOSED OVER AND SANK. THE PILOT STATED HE FELT THERE WAS AN OBJECT IN THE WATER THAT WAS STRUCK. WITNESSES HOWEVER, STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ONCE BRIEFLY, PULLED UP, THEN ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, IT NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS, THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED WITH A QUARTERING TAIL WIND. APRX 12 MI NE, THE SACRAMENTO WIND WAS FROM 310 DEG AT 16 KTS.

Full Narrative

DURING A LOCAL CROSS COUNTRY PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON LAKE FOLSOM. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN SETTLING IN THE WATER THEN NOSED OVER AND SANK. THE PILOT STATED HE FELT THERE WAS AN OBJECT IN THE WATER THAT WAS STRUCK. WITNESSES HOWEVER, STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ONCE BRIEFLY, PULLED UP, THEN ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, IT NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS, THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED WITH A QUARTERING TAIL WIND. APRX 12 MI NE, THE SACRAMENTO WIND WAS FROM 310 DEG AT 16 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 PDT
Nearest AirportFolsom Lake (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLake LA4-180
Tail NumberN1118L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 16 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data