# NTSB ANC08CA118: Diehl William A S-4, N4BZ, Galena, AK, September 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2008, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Galena, AK - Coordinates: 64.733886, -156.926391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7339&lon=-156.9264&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 69166 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69166/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA118 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control of the airplane during takeoff, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Diehl William A S-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05618K4), [All aircraft, 528 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diehl William A S-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05618K4), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Diehl William A S-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=05618K4), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Diehl William A S-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05618K4), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Diehl William A S-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05618K4), [All aircraft, 10,152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo private pilot of the float-equipped airplane, was taking off from a remote lake, for a personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. According to the pilot of the helicopter that recovered the airplane, the accident pilot told him that he was taking off from the lake, and the airplane would not come up on step. He told the helicopter pilot that he didn't think he had pumped all the water out of the floats prior to takeoff, and that during the takeoff roll he lost control and the airplane impacted the water. The helicopter pilot said there was substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. ## Factual narrative The solo private pilot of the float-equipped airplane, was taking off from a remote lake for a personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. According to the pilot of the helicopter that recovered the airplane, the accident pilot told him that he was taking off from the lake, and the airplane would not come up on step. He told the helicopter pilot that he didn't think he had pumped all the water out of the floats prior to takeoff, and that during the takeoff roll he lost control, and the airplane impacted the water. The helicopter pilot said there was substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot did not complete an NTSB accident report form as requested. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4BZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4BZ-2013-11-04), registration cancelled 2013-11-04, S/N 004, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIEHL WILLIAM A S-4 - Registry model: [Diehl William A S-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/diehl-william-a-s-4) (registry code 05618K4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 004 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kyzer David D - Registered owner: Kyzer David D - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Galena, AK - Destination: Galena, AK - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 3 statute miles ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080905850739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080905850739A), Sep 5, 2008: Diehlw S4, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] [privacy data omitted] pilot attempted takeoff during calm conditions. Pilot was able to lift only one float from water. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N4BZ (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 ANC99LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA143), Sep 11, 1999: Diehl Interstate S-4 (N4BZ), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate planning/decision, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors in the accident were a short runway/lake area for departure, and the pilot's… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.