# NTSB CHI84LA258: Lake LA-4-200, N8003H, Mears, MI, June 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1984, 17:37 local (21:37 UTC)
- Place: Mears, MI
- Coordinates: 43.679183, -86.409637 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6792&lon=-86.4096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA258

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN THE AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT REACHED 8 TO 10 FEET AGL DURING TAKEOFF, A X-WIND GUST CAUSED THE LEFT SPONSON TO CONTACT THE WATER SURFACE. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND RESULTED IN THE PLANE CRASHING INVERTED IN THE LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8003H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8003H), registered now, S/N 1012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Lake LA-4-200
- Registry model: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-aeronautics-lake-la-4-200) (registry code 2400108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1012
- Airframe hours: 237
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jns Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1984, 36 hours before
- Departed: MEARS, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 258 total, 171 in this make and model, 147 as pilot in command, 118 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGA, 30 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 19840624026529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840624026529A), Jun 24, 1984: Conaer LA4200, Mears, MI, Substantial damage. After liftoff left sponson dug into water, causing aircraft to flip over.

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.