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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 1, 1995 · Lake LA-4-200 · N5TB

Seaside Heights, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Seaside Heights, NJ
Aircraft
Lake LA-4-200
Tail Number
N5TB
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA211

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.

NTSB 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.

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EDT
Nearest AirportSeaside Park (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLake LA-4-200
Tail NumberN5TB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1B · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 5 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data