# NTSB MIA08CA019: Lake LA-4-200, N1055L, Jacksonville, FL, November 25, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 25, 2007, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.334999, -81.508613
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3350&lon=-81.5086&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Orlando FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA019

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering over water. Contributing to the accident was glassy water conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (cause)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the "flight departed VFR from KVQQ at 15:55 for flight to KCRG. After departing Class D airspace to [the] southeast the pilot descended over the St. Johns River approximately 1/2 na[utical] mile offshore to practice reading wind direction from [the] water surface. The winds were very light  and [the] water surface [was] mostly glassy. [The] pilot descended from about 2,500 ft. to approximately 100 ft. above [the] water and made several circles to [the] right to view [the] water. [The] pilot then leveled [the] wings and the [air]plane then bounced unexpectedly on the water and made about two more bounces before spinning to the left. [The] aircraft came to a stop and [the] pilot and passenger exited [the] cockpit onto [the] wing and were picked up by a passing motor boat. The plane sank after about 3 minutes." The pilot further stated that "this accident was caused by a glassy water condition and the pilot loosing depth perception. [The] pilot had no intention of landing and was practicing reading water for wind direction where wind was very light or none at all. [The] pilot had been endorsed on September 11, 2007 for SES [Single Engine Sea] practical testing but had not taken [the] check ride."

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the "flight departed VFR from KVQQ at 15:55 for flight to KCRG. After departing Class D airspace to [the] southeast the pilot descended over the St. Johns River approximately 1/2 na[utical] mile offshore to practice reading wind direction from [the] water surface. The winds were very light  and [the] water surface [was] mostly glassy. [The] pilot descended from about 2,500 ft. to approximately 100 ft. above [the] water and made several circles to [the] right to view [the] water. [The] pilot then leveled [the] wings and the [air]plane then bounced unexpectedly on the water and made about two more bounces before spinning to the left. [The] aircraft came to a stop and [the] pilot and passenger exited [the] cockpit onto [the] wing and were picked up by a passing motor boat. The plane sank after about 3 minutes." The pilot further stated that "this accident was caused by a glassy water condition and the pilot loosing depth perception. [The] pilot had no intention of landing and was practicing reading water for wind direction where wind was very light or none at all. [The] pilot had been endorsed on September 11, 2007 for SES [Single Engine Sea] practical testing but had not taken [the] check ride."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1055L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1055L-2012-05-18), registration cancelled 2012-05-18, S/N 648, 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 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 648
- Airframe hours: 1435.04
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pavel Budnik
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007, 4.96 hours before
- Departed: KVQQ, Jacksonville, FL
- Destination: KCRG, Jacksonville, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 325 total, 320 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KCRG

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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