# NTSB LAX04CA082: Cessna 172N, N461BD, Angels Camp, CA, December 29, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 29, 2003, 10:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Angels Camp, CA - Coordinates: 38.14611, -120.648056 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1461&lon=-120.6481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58552/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA082 ## Probable cause the CFI's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition, which resulted in the loss of directional control. The crosswind and wind gusts were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The airplane collided with water during an aborted takeoff. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) was receiving training for his seaplane rating. After departure, they did a series of takeoffs and landings. The CFI contacted a local UNICOM and was advised that winds were at 14 knots gusting to 22. During the last landing into a confined area, they experienced a left crosswind. The PUI attempted to takeoff from the area, but the CFI aborted the takeoff as the airplane veered to the right. The weather conditions deteriorated and they decided to return to their original takeoff point. They sailed about 1/4 mile and it appeared they could takeoff into the wind. The CFI attempted the takeoff. After applying power the left wing came up; however, the airspeed was still below liftoff airspeed, and the airplane had not come up on the step. The CFI closed the throttle and the right float dug into the water. After the upset, the CFI and PUI climbed onto the wings and were later rescued. No mechanical malfunctions were noted. ## Factual narrative On December 29, 2003, at 1005 Pacific standard time, a float equipped Cessna 172N, N461BD, collided with water during the takeoff roll from Melone's Reservoir near Angels Camp, California. The pilot was operating the borrowed airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Spence Pond at 0905 for the local area instructional flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the Calaveras Co-Maury Rasmussen Field (CPU), San Andreas, California, located approximately 10 nautical miles from the accident site. No flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the CFI reported that the PUI was receiving training for his seaplane rating. After departure, they did a series of takeoffs and landings. The CFI contacted the Calaveras Airport UNICOM and was advised that winds were at 14 knots gusting to 22. During the last landing into a confined area, they experienced a left crosswind. The PUI attempted to takeoff from the area, but the CFI aborted the takeoff as the airplane veered to the right. The weather conditions deteriorated and they decided to return to Spence Pond. They sailed about 1/4 mile and it appeared they could takeoff into the wind. The CFI attempted the takeoff. After applying power, the left wing came up; however, the airspeed was still below liftoff airspeed, and the airplane had not come up on the step. The CFI closed the throttle and the right float dug into the water. After the upset, the CFI and PUI climbed onto the wings and were later rescued. No mechanical malfunctions were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N461BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N461BD-2017-03-22), registration cancelled 2017-03-22, S/N 17270418, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 70418 - Engines: Lycoming O 320-D2J reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: John Carmichael - Registered owner: David H. Hines Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Spence Pond, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 63; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 10,682 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 110 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 13 knots - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KSCK ## 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 20031229033499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031229033499A), Dec 29, 2003: Cessna 172N, New Melones Lak, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 12/29/2003, at approximately 10:00 am PST, john d. carmichael, certificate #1784671, pilot in command of N461BD, a Cessna 172 floatplane, conducting… 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.