# NTSB FTW97LA078: Consolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200, N6203V, Channelview, TX, January 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 6, 1997, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Channelview, TX - Coordinates: 29.779474, -95.109909 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7795&lon=-95.1099&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20140 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20140/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA078 ## Probable cause Loss of aircraft control due to the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. Factors were the crosswind, and the muddy terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis During landing roll/taxi on runway 9, a 'severe wind shear' deviated direction of travel to a muddy portion of the sod runway, and the nose landing gear sunk 6 to 8 inches into the soft ground. The nose landing gear sheared off, and the aircraft continued for 70 feet until it nosed over and came to a stop inverted. The pilot reported the winds at the time of the accident were from 050 degrees at 11 knots. ## Factual narrative On January 6, 1997, at 1600 central standard time, a Consolidated Aeronautics Inc. Lake LA-4-200, N6203V, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during landing roll at Skyhaven Airport near Channelview, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The flight originated from Skyhaven Airport, about 40 minutes before the accident. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that during landing roll on runway 09, the aircraft drifted to the right side of the sod runway, and the nose landing gear sunk 6 to 8 inches into the soft ground. The nose landing gear sheared off, and the aircraft continued for 70 feet until it nosed over and came to a stop inverted. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Accident Report that after landing, while taxiing on the runway to the hangar, a "severe wind shear deviated direction of taxi to a muddy portion of the runway. The nose wheel stuck in the mud causing tail of aircraft to become exposed to wind, which in turn blew aircraft over." The pilot also reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 050 degrees at 11 knots. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the right wing spar was bent, and a rib running along the fuselage was fractured. ## Aircraft - Registration: N6203V (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Consolidated Aeronautics Inc. LAKE LA-4-200 (LAKE LA-4-) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 853 - Airframe hours: 1007 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David R. Layton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 1995, 107 hours before - Departed: 8TX7 - Airport: 8TX7, Skyhaven, runway 27, 3,500 × 125 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 696 total, 448 in this make and model, 618 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 11 knots - Visibility: 18 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F ## 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 19970106000929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970106000929A), Jan 6, 1997: Conaer LA4200, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Veered to right edge of sod runway landing. Nose wheel sank into soft area sheared off. Slid 70FT nosed over. (-23) after landing on runway 09, the aircraft… 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.