# Accident 20210803013389A: Lake LA-4, Lake Isabella, CA, August 3, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 3, 2021, 14:20 local time
- Place: Lake Isabella, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.6648° N, 118.4409° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6648&lon=-118.4409&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7615L, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7615L-2024-01-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Lake LA-4 (registry code 5110302, https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,441 total, 29 in this make and model, 97 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR21LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA312) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210803013389A

## Narrative

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

AFTER COMPLETING A SUCCESSFUL WATER LANDING UPON LAKE ISABELLA, PILOT WATER TAXIED THE AIRCRAFT TO A BOAT RAMP.  AFTER EXITING THE WATER AND TAXING THE AIRCRAFT TO THE TOP OF THE BOAT RAMP, THE PILOT INITIATED A DOWNHILL TAKEOFF ROLL.  AFTER BECOMING PARTIALLY AIRBORNE, THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND THE RIGHT WING TIP STUCK A TREE BRANCH THAT WAS PROTRUDING FROM THE LAKE.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN CRASHED INTO THE LAKE AND SANK TO THE LAKE BOTTOM.

## 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 WPR21LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA312), Aug 3, 2021: Lake LA-4 (N7615L), Lake Isabell, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to establish a positive climb rate after takeoff, which resulted in an impact with an object.

## Other reports on N7615L (1)

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

- [Incident 20120506008539I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120506008539I), May 6, 2012: Lake LA-4 (N7615L), Palo Alto, CA, No damage. On may 6, 2012 [privacy data omitted] was operating an LA-4, N7615L. During an approach to Palo Alto airport the aircraft developed a nose landing gear…

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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