# NTSB NYC95LA211: Lake LA-4-200, N5TB, Seaside Heights, NJ, September 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1995, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Seaside Heights, NJ - Location: 39.9449° N, 74.0783° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Seaside Heights, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9449&lon=-74.0783&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39043 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39043/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA211 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate flare for landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with rough water. Factors relating to the accident were: loss of engine power for an undetermined reason and rough water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor) - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT OF AN AMPHIBIOUS AIRPLANE DEPARTED FROM AN AREA OF WATER WITH WAVES AND BOAT WAVES. DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB, ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE WATER, THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. THE PILOT LANDED THE PLANE BACK ON THE WATER, BUT 'SLIGHTLY NOSE DOWN,' AND THE FUSELAGE WAS BUCKLED. AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE ENGINE WAS MADE, AND NOTHING ABNORMAL WAS NOTED. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1995, at 1330 eastern daylight time, a Lake LA-4-200, N5TB, an amphibious airplane, sustained substantial damage during a water landing, following a loss of engine power on initial climb. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local, personal flight. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that during the water takeoff roll, the airplane bounced several times as it maneuvered through waves and boat wakes. After becoming airborne, about 10 feet, the engine lost total power. The pilot nosed the airplane over toward the water, and it impacted the water in a nose down attitude. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the airplane and noted that the fuselage was buckled. The FAA Inspector stated: ...A cursory inspection was performed on the...engine. A visual inspection was made and nothing abnormal was noted. The engine would rotate....Compression was obtained on all...cylinders and continuity was confirmed through the engine. The fuel filter was free of any contamination and residual fuel was noted. The fuel line at the flow divider was removed and residual fuel was noted. An operation check of the engine was made and nothing abnormal was noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5TB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5TB-1998-09-09), registration cancelled 1998-09-09, S/N 609 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 609 - Airframe hours: 1600 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas Buck - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1994, 79 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Seaside Park ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 150 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19950901027739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950901027739A), Sep 1, 1995: Conaer LA4200, Seaside Heights, NJ, Substantial damage. Lost power on initial climb from water takeoff. Nosed into water. Failed to flare. Buckled fuselage. Engine test ok 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.