# NTSB GAA16CA310: Consolidated Aeronautics Lake LA 4, N1244L, Greers Ferry, AR, June 12, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 12, 2016, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC)
- Place: Greers Ferry, AR
- Coordinates: 35.525833, -92.166664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5258&lon=-92.1667&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: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93377/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93377
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA310

## Probable cause

The amphibious airplane pilot's incorrect pitch attitude during landing on choppy water, which resulted in a nose over, and substantial damage to the fuselage.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 528 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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-4-200, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 9,308 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 · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/cases.md?model=2400108), [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.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2400108), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that during the 4th water landing of the flight, during touchdown, "the nose pitched down aggressively" and the airplane nosed over. The pilot further reported that he and the passenger were able to perform an emergency evacuation before the airplane sank. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. During a postaccident interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that boat wake developed in the landing area and the nose of the airplane "may have been a little low" during the landing. According to a police report, the passenger reported that "we misjudged the wave and the plane flipped onto its back." The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that during the 4th water landing of the flight, during touchdown, "the nose pitched down aggressively" and the airplane nosed over. The pilot further reported that he and the passenger were able to perform an emergency evacuation before the airplane sank. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. During a postaccident interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that boat wake developed in the landing area and the nose of the airplane "may have been a little low" during the landing. According to a police report, the passenger reported that "we misjudged the wave and the plane flipped onto its back." The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1244L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1244L-2019-01-22), registration cancelled 2019-01-22, S/N 743, built 1976 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 743
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2015
- Departed: 06AR, HIGDEN, AR
- Destination: 06AR, HIGDEN, AR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 3, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 28,000 total, 80 in this make and model, 23,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KCCA, 13 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 20160612012219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160612012219A), Jun 12, 2016: Consolidated Aeronautics Inc. LAKE LA-4-200, Greers Ferry, AR, Substantial damage. On June 12, 2016 at approx 0845 central time a 1976 lake LA-4-200, registration number N1244L, serial number 743 had been conducting several waterway touch and…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 9, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93377. 2.4 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=40443018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Police Report Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443020&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report%20Passenger%20Statement-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.

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