# NTSB ERA14CA225: Lake LA-4, N1029L, Chapin, SC, April 29, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 29, 2014, 18:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Chapin, SC - Coordinates: 34.065277, -81.360557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0653&lon=-81.3606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89173 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89173/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89173 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA225 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in abnormal contact with the water and separation of the right pontoon.. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lake LA-4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5110302), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Lake LA-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=5110302), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Lake LA-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=5110302), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Lake LA-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=5110302), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Lake LA-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5110302), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amphibian airplane stated that the airplane was properly configured for landing on a lake, with the landing gear retracted and the flaps extended. The approach was normal; however, the pilot heard a loud bang immediately after touchdown and felt a lateral force in the cockpit. He then observed that the right wing pontoon had separated and he exited the cockpit before the airplane sank. Two witnesses were in a nearby boat and rescued the pilot. The witnesses reported that the pilot commented about the accident landing. He stated that it was only his fourth landing on the water and that the water was calm, which can affect depth perception. The witnesses added that the right wing pontoon contacted the water first, which spun the airplane. The airplane sank in an area of the lake that was approximately 120 feet deep. As of 60 days after the accident, the wreckage had not been located and recovered. The right pontoon was recovered. The pilot possessed a single-engine sea rating and reported 21 hours in the make and model airplane. He also reported 4,360 total hours of flight experience. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amphibian airplane stated that the airplane was properly configured for landing on a lake, with the landing gear retracted and the flaps extended. The approach was normal; however, the pilot heard a loud bang immediately after touchdown and felt a lateral force in the cockpit. He then observed that the right wing pontoon had separated and he exited the cockpit before the airplane sank. Two witnesses were in a nearby boat and rescued the pilot. The witnesses reported that the pilot commented about the accident landing. He stated that it was only his fourth landing on the water and that the water was calm, which can affect depth perception. The witnesses added that the right wing pontoon contacted the water first, which spun the airplane. The airplane sank in an area of the lake that was approximately 120 feet deep. As of 60 days after the accident, the wreckage had not been located and recovered. The right pontoon was recovered.The pilot possessed a single-engine sea rating and reported 21 hours in the make and model airplane. He also reported 4,360 total hours of flight experience. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1029L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1029L-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 272, built 1963 (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 - Serial number: 272 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 2809 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jay E Seward II - Registered owner: Jay E Seward II - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2013 - Departed: FDW, Winnsboro, SC - Destination: Chapin, SC - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 17, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,360 total, 21 in this make and model, 2,837 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: CAE, 19 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 20140429005909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140429005909A), Apr 29, 2014: Lake LA-4, Lexington, SC, Substantial damage. On April 29 on about 5:28 local time N1029L a Lake aircraft LA-4 on a CFR part 91 flight was practicing take off and landings on Lake murrayin SC. After a… ## Other investigations on N1029L (2) 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 NYC79FNA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FNA02), Oct 8, 1978: Lake LA-4 (N1029L), Tuckernuck Isl, MA, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC66D0649](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66D0649), May 5, 1966: Lake LA-4 (N1029L), Bronx, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89173. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Police Report (item 2, .PDF, 567 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414998&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summaries (item 4, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415000&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 5, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Right Wing Pontoon (Photo Courtesy of Witness Leiti) (item 6, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415002&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Right%20Wing%20Pontoon%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Witness%20Leiti)-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.