# NTSB ERA10CA223: Consolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200, N4GS, Moore Haven, FL, April 7, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 7, 2010, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Moore Haven, FL
- Coordinates: 27.259721, -80.85028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2597&lon=-80.8503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75725/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75725
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA223

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a water landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the amphibious airplane was performing numerous touch-and-go water landings to a lake. During the last landing, to the south, the airplane touched down with the nose a "little bit" to the right, the left sponson then hit the water, and the airplane water looped. Several minutes later, the airplane sank to the bottom of the lake. The airplane incurred substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane prior to the accident. A weather observation taken about the time of the accident, and approximately 25 miles north of the accident site, included winds from 180 degrees true at 8 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the amphibious airplane was performing numerous touch and go water landings to a lake. During the last landing, to the south, the airplane touched down with the nose a "little bit" to the right, the left sponson then hit the water, and the airplane water looped. Several minutes later, the airplane sank to the bottom of the lake. The airplane incurred substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane prior to the accident. A weather observation taken about the time of the accident, and approximately 25 miles north of the accident site, included winds from 180 degrees true at 8 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4GS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4GS-2010-06-30), registration cancelled 2010-06-30, S/N 738, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONSOLIDATED AERONAUTICS INC. 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)
- 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: 738
- Airframe hours: 2262
- Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER A&C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fish N Fly LLC
- Registered owner: Fish N Fly LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 2010
- Departed: KLNA, West Palm Beach, FL
- Destination: KOBE, Okeechobee, FL
- Airport: OBE, Okeechobee County Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 17, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 395 total, 260 in this make and model, 367 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KOBE, 25 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 20100407033039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100407033039A), Apr 7, 2010: Consolidate LAKE LA-4-2, Moore Haven, FL, Substantial damage. On April 7, 2010, at approximately 1230 local time, N4GS was involved in an accident on lake okeechobee. Robert r english, holder of a commercial pilot…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75725. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 403 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329891&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 775 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Satellite imagery of accident site (Courtesy of Google) (item 4, .PDF, 233 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329880&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Satellite%20imagery%20of%20accident%20site%20(Courtesy%20of%20Google)-Master.PDF

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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