SHAFTSBURY, VT, USA
N1405F
LAKE LA4-250
THE LAKE AMPHIBIAN WAS BEING FLOWN WITH TWO FERRY TANKS INSTALLED IN THE CABIN. THE PILOT DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT TANKS AND 15 GALLONS IN THE FERRY TANKS. THE CENTER OF GRAVITY AT ZERO FUEL WEIGHT WAS 3/4 INCH PAST THE AFT LIMIT. WITH ADDITION OF FUEL THE POSITION OF THE CG REMAINED UNCHANGED, HOWEVER, THE AFT LIMIT OF THE ENVELOPE MOVED FORWARD WITH HIGHER WEIGHTS. A CONNECTION WHERE THE FERRY TANKS WERE PLUMBED INTO THE AIRCRAFT SYSTEM LEAKED AND ALLOWED AIR TO BE SUCKED INTO THE SYSTEM. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENGINE INTERMITTENT, THEN THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN FROM WHICH IT DID NOT RECOVER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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