# NTSB ERA20CA144: Lake LA4, N84PF, Hickory, NC, April 4, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 4, 2020, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Hickory, NC - Coordinates: 35.801109, -81.30278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8011&lon=-81.3028&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101147 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101147/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101147 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA144 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and attempted takeoff with obstacles in the direction of departure, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane during the rejected takeoff. ## 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: [Lake LA-4-200, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5110310), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lake LA-4-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=5110310), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Lake LA-4-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5110310), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amphibious airplane was conducting a takeoff from a lake when he rejected the takeoff because there were power lines and a bridge in the direction of takeoff and he was unsure whether the airplane would be able to clear them. During the rejected takeoff, he reduced engine power; however, the airplane became airborne. He initiated a slight right turn toward more open water. After touching down, the airplane "water looped." The aft portion of the fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amphibious airplane was conducting a takeoff from a lake when he rejected the takeoff because there were power lines and a bridge in the direction of takeoff and he was unsure whether the airplane would be able to clear them. During the rejected takeoff, he reduced engine power; however, the airplane became airborne. He initiated a slight right turn toward more open water. After touching down, the airplane "water looped." The aft portion of the fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84PF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84PF-2022-09-14), registration cancelled 2022-09-14, S/N 1100, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lake LA4 (200) - Registry model: [Lake LA-4-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4-200) (registry code 5110310) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1100 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 5975 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 2019, 17 hours before - Departed: Hickory, NC - Destination: Hickory, NC - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,062 total, 1,726 in this make and model, 3,062 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KHKY, 5 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 20200404002209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200404002209A), Apr 4, 2020: Lake LA-4-200, Hickory, NC, Substantial damage. On 4/4/2020 at approximately 1624 local time, Lake LA-4-200, registration number N84PF, piloted by [privacy data omitted], private pilot certificate number… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101147. 11.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486725&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - NTSB Memorandum for Record G Mitchell (item 2, .PDF, 279 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486726&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20G%20Mitchell-Master.PDF - NTSB Memorandum for Record Booth (item 3, .PDF, 277 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486727&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Booth-Master.PDF - Witness Statement - Rominger (item 4, .PDF, 735 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486728&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-%20Rominger-Master.PDF - NTSB Memorandum for Record Kuhn (item 5, .PDF, 271 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486729&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Kuhn-Master.PDF - Excerpts - Pilot Logbook (item 6, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486730&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20-%20Pilot%20Logbook-Master.PDF - Excerpt - Maintenance Logbook (item 7, .PDF, 631 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20-%20Maintenance%20Logbook-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 8, .PDF, 319 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486732&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Wreckage Location Diagrams (item 9, .PDF, 438 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486733&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Location%20Diagrams-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.