# NTSB CHI69D0648: Lake LA-4, N7610L, Detroit, MI, May 23, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 23, 1969
- Place: Detroit, MI · DETROIT, MI
- Location: 42.3314° N, 83.0458° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Detroit, MI, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3314&lon=-83.0458&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1969
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 183616
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI69D0648
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69D0648

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1351  69/5/23    DETROIT,MICH        LAKE LA-4           CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 29, 39 TOTAL
        TIME - 1915                    N7610L              PX-  0  0  0  TRAINING                  HOURS, 28 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- DIRECTIONAL CONTROL LOSS DUE TO PLT ALLOWING R WING FLOAT TO STRIKE WATER.SANK IN DETROIT RIVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7610L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7610L-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 383, built 1968 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

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.

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