NTSB Identification: DDB04LA040 . The docket is stored in the (offline) NTSB Imaging System.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, January 01, 2004, Lake Winnabeagle, Minnesota
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/20/2004
Aircraft: Cessna 172C, registration: N1288D
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
Conditions: IFR
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
Float planes, although designed for lakes, should not be commited to landing when the lake is frozen.
Floatplanes should only be flown by pilots with the type rating.
The student rated pilot continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude and/or clearance from terrain resulted in mishap. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, a French Canadian, and snow.