# NTSB ERA10CA497: Consolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200, N8001J, New Castle, VA, September 22, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 22, 2010, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: New Castle, VA - Coordinates: 37.472221, -80.101112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4722&lon=-80.1011&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Richmond FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77380 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA497 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77380/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77380 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA497 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane was accelerating normally during the takeoff roll into a 6- to 8-knot headwind. About halfway down the turf runway, the airplane became airborne and then settled back onto the runway. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff and reduced power while applying the brakes. He realized that the airplane would not be able to stop prior to impacting a berm located at the end of the runway and added full power. The airplane cleared the berm, crossed a dirt road, and impacted a tree and several boulders before coming to rest in a pond. The pilot stated that it had rained earlier in the day and that the runway might have still been damp. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, all indications were in the "normal range," and the airplane was accelerating normally during the takeoff roll into a 6- to 8-knot headwind. About halfway down the 2,400-foot turf runway, the airplane attained "2/3 flying speed," and between that point and the end of the runway, it became airborne, then settled back onto the runway. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff, and reduced power and applied braking, but then realized that the airplane would not be able to stop prior to impacting a berm located at the end of the runway. He added full power, and the airplane cleared the berm, crossed a dirt road, impacted a tree and some boulders, and came to rest in a pond. The pilot stated that it had rained earlier in the day and the runway might have still been damp. The pilot also stated that he "did not detect any mechanical malfunctions." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8001J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8001J-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 993 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 993 - Airframe hours: 1761 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: VA85, New Castle, VA - Destination: Moneta, VA - Airport: VA85, New Castle International Airpo, runway 18, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 700 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg ## 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 20100922046409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100922046409A), Sep 22, 2010: Consolidate LAKE LA-4-2, Substantial damage. Pilot elected to abort the takeoff on a wet grass strip. After the abort was attempted, elected to add full power to attempt to clear obstacles, clipped a… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77380. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 676 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Written Statement (item 2, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337325&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Written%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337332&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Passenger (item 4, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337329&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Passenger-Master.PDF - Roanoke Weather (item 5, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Roanoke%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Airplane At Rest (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 974 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337326&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Airplane%20At%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-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. --- 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.