# NTSB SEA85LA130: Consolidated Aeronautics Lake LA-4-200, N80030, Truckee, CA, June 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1985, 19:39 local (Jun 9, 1985, 02:39 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3280° N, 120.1833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Truckee, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-120.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA130

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

CONTRARY TO COMMON DEPARTURE PRACTICE, THE PILOT COMMENCED HIS TAKEOFF FROM THE LAKE HEADED WESTBOUND AND TOWARDS RISING TERRAIN. ADDITIONALLY, HE FAILED TO USE ALL THE TAKEOFF SURFACE AVAILABLE. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT DONNER LAKE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS APPROXIMATELY 8000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80030](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80030-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 1018, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CONSOLIDATED AERONAUTICS INC. LAKE LA-4-200 (LAKE LA-4-)
- 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: 1018
- Airframe hours: 170
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Carney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 1985, 13 hours before
- Departed: DONNER LAKE, CA
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 325 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL, 29 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 19850608023629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850608023629A), Jun 8, 1985: Conaer LA4200, Truckee, CA, Destroyed. Used a portion of lake for downwind takeoff into rising terrain. Density altitude of 8000 feet. Struck trees.

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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