# NTSB WPR21LA312: Lake LA-4, N7615L, Lake Isabell, CA, August 3, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 3, 2021, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Lake Isabell, CA · Lake environment - Coordinates: 35.66476, -118.44093 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6648&lon=-118.4409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 103673 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103673/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103673 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA312 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to establish a positive climb rate after takeoff, which resulted in an impact with an object. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Lake LA-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=5110302), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Lake LA-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=5110302), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Lake LA-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5110302), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Lake LA-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=5110302), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that, after landing on the water he taxied to a boat ramp where he drained water out of the airplane before he took off from the top of the boat ramp. Once airborne, he established a climb attitude, but the airplane was not able to maintain a climb. He further added that there was insufficient time to raise the landing gear before the airplane landed on the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aft fuselage and empennage. A witness reported that he assisted the pilot in pulling the airplane out of the water and onto the boat ramp. The water was drained out of the airplane, and then the pilot commenced with the takeoff. The witness further reported that the airplane struck a tree branch before it impacted the water. Review of recorded video provided by the witness showed that the airplane departed from the top of a declining concrete boat ramp and became airborne just before the waterline at the bottom of the ramp. Throughout the takeoff sequence, the engine could be heard with no noticeable changes in sound. The video showed the airplane briefly remained airborne at a low altitude before it descended into the water. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector interviewed the pilot. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7615L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7615L-2024-01-13), registration cancelled 2024-01-13, S/N 388, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4 (388) - Registry model: [Lake LA-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4) (registry code 5110302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 388 - Year built: 1968 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2020 - Departed: WHP, Pacoima, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; flight instructor, remote, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, unknown; last flight review July 27, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,440 total, 29 in this make and model, 1,340 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KBFL, 33 nm away - METAR: KBFL 032154Z 29008KT 7SM CLR 36/07 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP118 T03610072 ## 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 20210803013389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210803013389A), Aug 3, 2021: Lake LA-4, Lake Isabella, CA, Destroyed. After completing a successful water landing upon Lake Isabella, pilot water taxied the aircraft to a boat ramp. After exiting the water and taxing the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N7615L (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW69F0368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69F0368), Jan 7, 1969: Lake LA-4 (N7615L), Quinlan, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103673. 21.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13939316&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13977170&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(NTSB)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Summary of findings (NTSB) (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13938756&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Summary%20of%20Findings%20(NTSB)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Summary of findings (FAA) (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13939686&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Summary%20of%20Findings%20(FAA)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Video file (item 5, PPTX, 15.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13939805&FileExtension=pptx&FileName=video-Rel.pptx - Photos (FAA) (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13973580&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20(FAA)_Redacted-Rel.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.