# NTSB MIA90LA016: Lake LA-4, N1212L, Apalachicola, FL, October 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1989, 06:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: Apalachicola, FL
- Coordinates: 29.720062, -84.98925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7201&lon=-84.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA016

## Probable cause

BINDING AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #1 EXHAUST VALVE.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:   THE SOFT/WET (SWAMPY) TERRAIN CONDITION IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 100' AGL, THE ENG LOST POWER. AN EMERG LNDG WAS THEN MADE IN A SWAMPY AREA & THE ACFT, WAS DAMAGED.  AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE #1 EXHAUST VALVE PUSHROD WAS BENT.  ACCORDING TO THE ENG MANUFACTURERTHIS RESULTED FROM A STICKING EXHAUST VALVE, WHICH ALLOWED THE PISTON TO CONTACT THE VALVE.  THE VALVE STEM CAP HAD FAILED & LODGED BETWEEN THE ROCKER ARM AND THE OUTER VALVE SPRING ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1212L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1212L-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 716, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4
- Registry model: [Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-aeronautics-lake-la-4) (registry code 2400102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: D'Alemberte, Talbot S.
- Registered owner: Talbot D'Alemberte
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1988
- Departed: AAF
- Destination: MSY, NEW ORLEANS, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 570 total, 500 in this make and model, 535 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19891021041979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891021041979A), Oct 21, 1989: Conaer LA4, Apalachicola, FL, Substantial damage. Engine failed on initial climb. Force landed into a swamp. A valve stuck open and was struck by the piston.

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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