# NTSB MIA06CA097: Lake LA-4-200, N1051L, Lake Wales, FL, April 25, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 25, 2006, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Wales, FL - Coordinates: 27.954721, -81.614166 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9547&lon=-81.6142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63576 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63576/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA097 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff resulting in an overrun of the runway and encounter with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis The pilot stated that during his arrival to the airport, on the previous day, he noted the center of the runway was sandy and soft due to the drought. Before the departure, he walked a third of the runway to check the surface conditions. He decided to stay off the middle and favor the grassier side of the runway; however, he knew it would be bumpier during the takeoff roll. He elected to depart from runway 18, which is slightly downhill. The breeze was from the west-southwest. He performed a soft field takeoff while staying on the west side of the runway. The takeoff roll was bumpy and noted the airspeed indicator reached 55 mph, the rotation speed was 60 mph. The airplane encountered a bump, the airspeed drop to 50 mph then increased to 55 mph. The airplane encountered another bump and the airspeed dropped to 50 mph and increased again. By this time, the airplane crossed a road located toward the end of the runway, struck a berm, which sheared the nose wheel. The airplane became airborne with insufficient airspeed to fly. The left wing contacted the ground and the airplane spun 180 degrees, skidding backward before coming to a stop. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 2006, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Lake LA-4-200, N1051L, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, overran the runway during takeoff at the Chalet Suzanne Air Strip, Lake Wales, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during his arrival to the airport, on the pervious day, he noted the center of the runway was sandy and soft due to the drought. Before the departure, he walked a third of the runway to check the surface conditions. He decided to stay off the middle and favor the grassier side of the runway; however, he knew it would be bumpier during the takeoff roll. He elected to depart from runway 18, which is slightly downhill. The breeze was from the west-southwest. He performed a soft field takeoff while staying on the west side of the runway. The takeoff roll was bumpy and noted the airspeed indicator reached 55 mph, the rotation speed is 60 mph. The airplane encountered a bump, the airspeed drop to 50 mph then increased to 55 mph. The airplane encountered another bump and the airspeed dropped to 50 mph and increasing again. By this time, the airplane crossed a road located toward the end of the runway, hitting a berm, which sheared the nose wheel. The airplane became airborne with insufficient airspeed to fly. The left wing contacted the ground and the airplane spun 180 degrees, skidding backward before coming to a stop. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1051L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1051L-2014-09-08), registration cancelled 2014-09-08, S/N 644, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lake LA-4-200 - Registry model: [Lake LA-4-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4-200) (registry code 5110310) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 644 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael L.Yates - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KX25, Lake Wales, FL - Destination: KBOW, Bartow, FL - Airport: X25, Chalet Suzanne Air Strip, runway 18, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3; flight hours: 3,670 total, 2,820 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 8 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: BOW ## 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 20060425006879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060425006879A), Apr 25, 2006: Conaer LA4200, Lakes Wales, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he attempted takeoff from runway 18, a grass surface, at Chalet Suzanne airport, in LA-4-200, N1051L. He indicated that 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.