# Accident 20151114022009A: Consolidated Aeronautics Inc. LAKE LA-4, Morganton, NC, November 14, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 14, 2015, 14:15 local time
- Place: Morganton, NC
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.7611° N, 81.7239° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7611&lon=-81.7239&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1204L, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1204L) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4 (registry code 2400102, https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-aeronautics-lake-la-4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONSOLIDATED AERONAUTICS INC. LAKE LA-4
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 452 total, 226 in this make and model, 82 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA062) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151114022009A

## Narrative

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

ON NOVEMBER 14, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 1415 LOCAL TIME N1204L, A LA-4-200, ATTEMPTED A WATER TAKEOFF FROM LAKE JAMES, NC. GUSTING WINDS WERE REPORTED IN THE AREA DURING THE TIME OF THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT STATED THERE WERE MODERATE SEAS. AT FULL THROTTLE AND 55 KNOTS, ROTATION SPEED FOR THIS AIRCRAFT IS 60 KNOTS, THE PILOT SAID HE CAUGHT A WAVE THAT PITCHED THE NOSE OF N1204L UP. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED BACK ON THE WATER IT WAS IMMEDIATELY THROWN INTO A RIGHT-HAND SPIN AND STOPPED INSTANTLY. THIS IS ALSO KNOWN AS A WATER LOOP. THE PILOT COULD NOT DETERMINE IF THE AIRCRAFT HIT DEBRIS OR IF THE RIGHT SPONSON CAUGHT A WAVE RESULTING IN THE WATER LOOP. THE RIGHT SPONSON WAS DAMAGED. THE RIGHT WINGTIP SUSTAINED DAMAGE AND THE RIGHT WING HAD RIPPLING ACROSS THE UPPER SURFACE. THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE HAD A PUNCTURE HOLE. THE PILOT REPORTED THE EVENT TO THE NTSB.

## 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 GAA16CA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA062), Nov 14, 2015: Consolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4 (N1204L), Morganton, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the departure, resulting in substantial damage to the airplanes right wing.

## Other reports on N1204L (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20020929032429I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020929032429I), Sep 29, 2002: Conaer LA4 (N1204L), Poughkeepsie, NY, Minor damage. (-23) According to personnel of Dutchess County tower, N1204L was in the pattern making approaches to runway 24. On the second attempt, the local controller…
- [Incident 19920627040389I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920627040389I), Jun 27, 1992: Conaer LA4 (N1204L), Lake George, NY, Minor damage. Attempted takeoff in boat wake. Porpoised and became airborne. Stalled and entered water at steep angle.
- [Incident 19900311013519I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900311013519I), Mar 11, 1990: Conaer LA4 (N1204L), Poughkeepsie, NY. Complaints were received that the pilot was flying at an unsafe altitude over their neighborhood.

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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