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GAA16CA062

2015-11-14 · Morganton, North Carolina, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N1204L

Make / Model
CONSOLIDATED AERONAUTICS INC. LAKE LA-4
Engine
LYCOMING I0360 SER (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19751020
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A056A1

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the departure, resulting in substantial damage to the airplanes right wing.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the amphibious airplane, during the takeoff run on a lake with choppy water, the airplane encountered about a six inch high wave and water-looped. The pilot reported that upon encountering the wave, the airplane's nose pitched up, the airplane ascended momentarily, then settled to the water. When the airplane settled into the water, the right sponson and wing impacted the water and immediately spun the aircraft to the right. The airplanes right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. According to the pilot of the amphibious airplane, during the takeoff run on a lake with choppy water, the airplane encountered about a six inch high wave and water-looped. The pilot reported that upon encountering the wave, the airplane's nose pitched up, the airplane ascended momentarily, then settled to the water. When the airplane settled into the water, the right sponson and wing impacted the water and immediately spun the aircraft to the right. The airplanes right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Choppy-Effect on equipment

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_GAA16CA062.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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