# NTSB WPR12CA151: Lake LA-4-200, N32LB, Lake Havasu City, AZ, April 1, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 1, 2012, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Havasu City, AZ - Coordinates: 34.476016, -114.36163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4760&lon=-114.3616&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 83270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83270/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83270 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA151 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain directional control during a water touchdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Lake LA-4-200, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5110310), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lake LA-4-200, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5110310), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Lake LA-4-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5110310), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was performing a water landing in a cove with gusty wind conditions. The airplane touched down twice and, on the third touchdown, veered violently to the left. He believed that he either “chined and waterlooped” or that the left sponson contacted the water first. Both sponsons and the left wing tip were substantially damaged. Additionally, the left side of the airplane’s nose and left fuselage at the pilot entry station were wrinkled and bent. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was performing a water landing and believes the left sponson contacted the water about the same time as the hull. The airplane water-looped, bending both sponsons and the left wing tip. Additionally, the left side of the airplane’s nose and left fuselage at the pilot entry station were wrinkled and bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32LB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32LB-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 631, 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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 631 - Airframe hours: 3514 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sheble Aviation - Registered owner: Sheble Joseph F III - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 2011 - Departed: A20, Fort Mohave, AZ - Destination: A20, Fort Mohave, AZ - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 3, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 2,500 total, 43 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: EED, 24 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 20120401005149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120401005149A), Apr 1, 2012: Lake LA-4-200, Lake Havasu, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot was on a demonstration flight with another pilot. The pilot in command landed in a cove protected from winds. The pilot made a normal approach and… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83270. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.