# NTSB ATL01LA071: Lake LA-4, N1235L, Mulberry, FL, July 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2001, 15:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Mulberry, FL - Coordinates: 27.933332, -82.349723 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9333&lon=-82.3497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52711 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52711/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA071 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was rough and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis Shortly after lift-off, the engine rpm went to idle and quit. The pilot initially attempted to return to the departure airport, but subsequently selected a nearby clearing for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with rough and uneven terrain, and burst into flames as the pilot maneuvered the airplane for the emergency landing. No contamination was observed in the oil filter element or suction screen. The pilot estimated that approximately 40 gallons of fuel were on board the airplane at the accident. Examination of the airframe and the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or a component failure. ## Factual narrative On July 2001, at 1535 eastern daylight time, a Lake LA-4, collided with the ground and burst into flames shortly after takeoff from the South Lakeland Airport in Mulberry, Florida. The airplane was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger received no injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage during the collision and the post-crash fire. The flight departed Mulberry, Florida, at 1500. According to the pilot, he completed a normal engine run-up prior to the attempted takeoff and no abnormalities were noted with the airplane. However, shortly after lift-off from runway14/32, the engine rpm went to idle. There were no abnormal noises heard, and the pilot was not sure if the engine had quit. According to an eyewitness, the engine began to sputter and subsequently quit. Reportedly, the pilot initially attempted to return to the departure airport, but subsequently selected a nearby clearing for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with rough and uneven terrain as the pilot maneuvered the airplane for the emergency landing. The post-accident examination of the engine assembly found that it rotated through and drive train continuity was established through the accessory gearbox. Engine ignition system continuity was also established, and ignition sparks were observed in both magnetos. The spark plugs were examined and were gray in color. There was no visible contamination in the oil filter element or suction screen. An engine field compression check was also completed. The examination also disclosed extensive fire damage to the airframe. The pilot estimated that approximately 40 gallons of fuel were on board the airplane at the accident. Examination of the airframe and the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or a component failure. During a telephone conversation with the pilot/owner of N1235L, on November 24, 2001, he stated that he had owned this airplane for approximately 25 years. He also stated that in approximately 1990, he experienced a sudden loss of engine power in flight. During this emergency, he landed the airplane safely. The subsequent engine examination failed to disclose the source of the sudden loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1235L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1235L-2002-01-11), registration cancelled 2002-01-11, S/N 734, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lake LA-4 - Registry model: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-aeronautics-lake-la-4-200) (registry code 2400108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 734 - Airframe hours: 3630 - Engines: Lycoming IO 360 A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 2000, 68.5 hours before - Departed: X49, MULBERRY, FL - Airport: X49, South Lakeland, runway 14, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 4,200 total, 3,300 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 1, 2001; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 40,000 ft broken - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: LAL, 10 nm away ## 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 20010704027819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010704027819A), Jul 4, 2001: Mulberry, FL, No damage. (-23) After departure, at 300-400 ft AGL, the pilot reported a loss of power. Witnesses reported a normal t-o roll followed by a steep climb angle on… 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.