CHI98LA207

Factual narrative

On June 17, 1998, at 1445 central daylight time, a Lake LA4-200, N80026, was substantially damaged when the right wingtip struck the water during a crosswind water landing. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed from Marinette, Wisconsin, and was making a water landing on the Peshtigo River, near Peshtigo, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In a phone conversation, the pilot reported that he looked over the area before he landed and did not see anything in the water and did not see anything off the right side. He reported that the right wing caught the water. He reported, "I think it was the glassy water...and I thought I was higher than I was." He reported, "...the wing hit the water and ground looped on me." The pilot reported that he had 19 hours in make and model aircraft. In a phone conversation, the pilot reported that he looked over the area before he landed and did not see anything in the water and did not see anything off the right side. He reported that the right wing caught the water. He reported, 'I think it was the glassy water...and I thought I was higher than I was.' He reported, '...the wing hit the water and the airplane ground looped on me.' The pilot reported that he had 19 hours in make and model aircraft. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12