# NTSB ANC98LA073: Lake LA-4, N19AK, Saint Mary'S, AK, June 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 1998, 16:30 local (Jun 15, 1998, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Saint Mary'S, AK - Coordinates: 62.060226, -163.290328 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0602&lon=-163.2903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3158 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3158/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA073 ## Probable cause The pilot's diverted attention during takeoff, and his failure to maintain a proper climb rate. A factor associated with the accident was the presence of birds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - bird(s) (contributing factor) - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot was departing from a river after a day of fishing. The pilot reported that just after takeoff, about 15 feet above the water, two ducks flew into the path of the departing airplane, distracting his attention. The pilot stated that the birds passed on the right side of the airplane, about 6 feet from the windscreen. The next thing the pilot recalls was seeing trees that filled his entire field of view. The airplane's left wing sponson collided with a stand of trees, pivoted the airplane 180 degrees to the left, and the airplane settled into a larger stand of trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 1998, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a Lake LA-4 amphibious airplane, N19AK, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a river, about 10 miles northeast of Saint Mary's, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Saint Mary's Airport, about 1050. In his written statement to the NTSB, the pilot reported that he was departing from a river after a day of fishing. He stated that just after takeoff, about 15 feet above the water, two ducks flew into the path of the departing airplane, distracting his attention. He said that the ducks were headed in the same direction, and traveling at about the same airspeed as the departing airplane. He reported that both ducks passed from left to right, about 6 feet from the airplane's windscreen. The pilot stated that after he was assured that the ducks would clear the airplane's propeller, he turned his attention back to the takeoff. He stated that the next thing he remembered was his "forward vision being filled by trees." The airplane's left wing sponson collided with a stand of trees, pivoted the airplane 180 degrees, and the airplane settled into a larger stand of trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical difficulties with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19AK-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 380 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lake LA-4 - Registry model: [Lake LA-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4) (registry code 5110302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 380 - Airframe hours: 2290 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Allen K. Young - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1998, 40 hours before - Departed: KSM, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 11,800 as pilot in command, 199 in the last 90 days, 109 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots, gusting 11 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F ## 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 19980614020739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980614020739A), Jun 14, 1998: Conaer LA4, St Marys, AK, Substantial damage. Encountered flock of ducks on initial climbout. Swerved to avoid same. Struck alder trees. (From .4) the certificated commercial pilot was departing from a… 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.