On September 1, 1988, a Lake LA-4-200 (registration N8012A) was involved in an aviation accident near Fox Lake, IL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An amphibious aircraft nosed over after landing on calm water, with the pilot reporting that the aircraft embedded itself in mud on the lake bottom. Water entered through the floor and the underside was missing from cockpit to tail.
Incident Overview
An amphibious aircraft was involved in an accident while landing on a lake. The pilot, who had recently completed a course at the aircraft manufacturer's factory school but had not yet obtained a seaplane rating, was flying home and subsequently performed landings on local lakes.
Sequence of Events
During a landing on calm water, the pilot expected to hear a slush sound as the hull touched the water. Instead, a loud noise occurred as the aircraft decelerated rapidly. Water then entered through the floor of the aircraft.
Aftermath and Damage
The aircraft nosed over and came to rest with its bottom missing from the cockpit to the tail section. The pilot indicated that during the landing in shallow water, the aircraft had embedded itself in mud on the bottom of the lake.