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NTSB Report
May 25, 1983 · Lake LA-4-200 · N5015L
Vinalhaven, ME
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Vinalhaven, ME
Aircraft
Lake LA-4-200
Tail Number
N5015L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC83FNC03
THE ACFT CRASHED FOLLOWING A WATER TAKEOFF FROM A SMALL LAKE. THE PILOT AND WITNESSES STATED THAT FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO REMOVE WATER FROM THE TAIL SECTION OF THE ACFT. THE WATER HAD ACCUMULATED DUE TO A MISSING REAR PLUG IN THE FUSELAGE. WITNESSES STATED THAT AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL TAKEOFF ATTEMPTS THE ACFT TOOKOFF BUT CLIMBED SLOWLY AND APPEARED TO BE OUT OF CONTROL. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF HE COULD NOT LOWER THE NOSE OR MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED FOLLOWING A WATER TAKEOFF FROM A SMALL LAKE. THE PILOT AND WITNESSES STATED THAT FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO REMOVE WATER FROM THE TAIL SECTION OF THE ACFT. THE WATER HAD ACCUMULATED DUE TO A MISSING REAR PLUG IN THE FUSELAGE. WITNESSES STATED THAT AFTER SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL TAKEOFF ATTEMPTS THE ACFT TOOKOFF BUT CLIMBED SLOWLY AND APPEARED TO BE OUT OF CONTROL. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF HE COULD NOT LOWER THE NOSE OR MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length2000 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLake LA-4-200
Tail NumberN5015L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TO-360-A1B · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO