# NTSB GAA16CA062: Consolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4, N1204L, Morganton, NC, November 14, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 14, 2015, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Morganton, NC - Coordinates: 35.761112, -81.723892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7611&lon=-81.7239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92372/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92372 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the departure, resulting in substantial damage to the airplanes right wing. ## 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, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2400102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2400102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: choppy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/cases.md?model=2400102), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2400102), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2400102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the amphibious airplane, during the takeoff run on a lake with choppy water, the airplane encountered about a six inch high wave and water-looped. The pilot reported that upon encountering the wave, the airplane's nose pitched up, the airplane ascended momentarily, then settled to the water. When the airplane settled into the water, the right sponson and wing impacted the water and immediately spun the aircraft to the right. The airplanes right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the amphibious airplane, during the takeoff run on a lake with choppy water, the airplane encountered about a six inch high wave and water-looped. The pilot reported that upon encountering the wave, the airplane's nose pitched up, the airplane ascended momentarily, then settled to the water. When the airplane settled into the water, the right sponson and wing impacted the water and immediately spun the aircraft to the right. The airplanes right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1204L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1204L), registered now, S/N 709 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CONSOLIDATED AERONAUTICS INC. LAKE LA-4 (200) - Registry model: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-aeronautics-lake-la-4) (registry code 2400102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 709 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 1082.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Converting Solutions Inc - Registered owner: Converting Solutions Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2014 - Departed: IPJ, LINCOLNTON, NC - Destination: IPJ, LINCOLNTON, NC - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 452.6 total, 226.1 in this make and model, 378.2 as pilot in command, 70.4 in the last 90 days, 20.7 in the last 30 days, 0.8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KMRN, 7 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 20151114022009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151114022009A), Nov 14, 2015: Consolidated Aeronautics Inc. LAKE LA-4, Morganton, NC, Substantial damage. On November 14, 2015 at approximately 1415 local time N1204L, a LA-4-200, attempted a water takeoff from lake james, NC. Gusting winds were reported in the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92372. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437401&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.