# Accident 20031229033499A: Cessna 172N, New Melones Lak, CA, December 29, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 29, 2003, 10:00 local time
- Place: New Melones Lak, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff Ground Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.1461° N, 120.6481° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1461&lon=-120.6481&mi=10
- Aircraft: N461BD, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N461BD-2017-03-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Reported engine: LYC O320*
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 11,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX04CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA082) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031229033499A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON 12/29/2003, AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 AM PST, JOHN D. CARMICHAEL, CERTIFICATE #1784671, PILOT IN COMMAND OF N461BD, A CESSNA 172 FLOATPLANE, CONDUCTING FLIGHT INSTRUCTION IN VMC CONDITIONS UNDER 14 CFR 91, CRASHED ON TAKEOFF FROM NEW MELONES LAKE, TUOLUMNE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT WERE NOT INJURED; THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE INSTRUCTOR ABORTED AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF FROM LEWARD OF A SMALL ISLAND IN MID-LAKE IN GUSTY 25 KNOT WINDS WITH 1 FOOT TO 2 FOOT WAVES. AFTER SAILING BACK TO A POINT ABEAM AND WINDWARD OF THE ISLAND, THE INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED ANOTHER TAKEOFF. ON THE SECOND TAKEOFF RUN, THE BOWS OF THE FLOATS STRUCK A WVE PITCHING THE AIRCRAFT INTO A 30 DEGREE NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED RIGHT CAUSING THE RIGHT WINGTIP TO STRIKE THE WATER CAPSIZING THE AIRPLANE. THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT EXITED THE AIRPLANE, WHICH REMAINED AFLOAT AND CLIMBED ONTO THE FLOATS. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED DOWNWIND AND GROUNDED TAIL FIRST APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET FROM THE SHORE OF THE ISLAND. INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT WERE RESCUED FROM THE ISLAND BY A SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT BOAT. MR. CARMICHAEL STATED THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX04CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA082), Dec 29, 2003: Cessna 172N (N461BD), Angels Camp, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the CFI's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition, which resulted in the loss of directional control. The crosswind and wind gusts were factors.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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