# NTSB LAX82DA299: Lake LA-4, N1104L, Lake Tahoe, CA, August 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1982, 13:48 local (20:48 UTC)
- Place: Lake Tahoe, CA
- Location: 38.9282° N, 119.9810° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of South Lake Tahoe, CA, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9282&lon=-119.9810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71331/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA299

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, taxi - to takeoff
  - fuselage,cabin - leak

## Analysis

THIS WAS TO HAVE BEEN THE FOURTH SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT OF THE DAY. AS THE AMPHIBIAN WAS TAXIED FOR TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED WATER FLOWING INTO THE AIRCRAFT. THE BILGE PUMP WAS UNABLE TO QUELL THE FLOW. THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS, FOUR CHILDREN, ABANDONED THE AIRCRAFT AND IT SANK A SHORT TIME LATER IN DEEP WATER. THE PLANE WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1104L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 695
- Airframe hours: 460
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Robert Bernards
- Registered owner: Robert Bernards
- Departed: LAKE TAHOE, CA
- Destination: LAKE TAHOE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 252 total, 88 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °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 19820814038039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820814038039A), Aug 14, 1982: Conaer LA4, Lake Tahoe, CA, Destroyed. Hole in hull on water taxi for takeoff. Evacuated amphibian sank. May have struck submerged object on previous trip

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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