# NTSB MIA87LA221: Lake LA-4-200, N2878P, St.Augustine, FL, August 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1987, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: St.Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 29.889039, -81.30973 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8890&lon=-81.3097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31951/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA221

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - attempted, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - water loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE WATER TAKEOFF RUN THE PLT'S FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS MOMENTARILY LOST AS HE ROTATED THE ACFT ONTO THE STEP. WHEN VISIBILITY WAS REGAINED HE REALIZED THAT THE ACFT WAS HEADED TOWARDS THE SHORELINE & TURNED TO AVOID IT DURING WHICH THE RT WING TIP WAS DRAGGED CAUSING THE ACFT TO WATER LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2878P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2878P), registered now, S/N 935 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 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: 935
- Airframe hours: 650
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Amphibian Enterprises,Inc.
- Registered owner: Amphibian Enterprises Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1987, 75 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 184 total, 33 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 21 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 19870802040339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870802040339A), Aug 2, 1987: Conaer LA4200, St Augustine, FL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control trying to turn seaplane on the step. Dragged a wing and water looped.

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.