# NTSB CHI85LA263: Lake LA-4-200, N516L, Hart, MI, June 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1985, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Hart, MI
- Coordinates: 43.689418, -86.36058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6894&lon=-86.3606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA263

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - submerged object (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, descent - uncontrolled
  - landing gear,float assembly - separation (cause)
- Roll over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A LAKE TAKEOFF AT NEAR LIFT OFF SPEED THE PLT STATED THE ACFT STRUCK A SUBMERGED LOG AND BECAME AIRBORNE AT A LOW AIRSPEED. THE ACFT THEN DROPPED BACK TO THE LAKE SURFACE, THE RIGHT WING FLOAT DUG IN THE WATER AND SEPARATED THE FLOAT FROM THE WING. THE STRESS ALSO CAUSED PARTIAL WING SEPARATION AT THE WING ROOT. LOSS OF THE FLOAT RESULTED IN THE ACFT ROLLING INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N516L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N516L-1994-08-02), registration cancelled 1994-08-02, S/N 538 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4-200
- Registry model: [Lake LA-4-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4-200) (registry code 5110310) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 538
- Airframe hours: 1115
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raymond Garritano
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1984, 53 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 799 total, 66 in this make and model, 591 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 45 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 19850629028609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850629028609A), Jun 29, 1985: Conaer LA4200, Hart, MI, Substantial damage. Struck submerged log during takeoff. Lifted off nose high and fell back into lake. Lost a float. Amphibian capsized.

## Other investigations on N516L (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 NYC91LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA151), Jun 7, 1991: Aerofab 4/210 (N516L), Paulding, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE OIL FILTER BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN A LEAK AND SUBSEQUENT OIL EXHAUSTION.

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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