Pilot Debrief

LAKE LA-4-200 near Orlando, FL — 2020-12-15

Final reportERA21LA078
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Date
2020-12-15
Location
Orlando, FL, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
LAKE LA-4-200
Registration
N5023L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the amphibious airplane departed the lake with a passenger, landed at a nearby airport where he deplaned the passenger, and was returning to the lake for landing. When the pilot reached the lake, he noted that it was hard to judge the airplane’s distance above the calm, glassy water while landing into the direction of the setting sun. Following the landing flare, the airplane “floated” a considerable distance before bouncing multiple times. The pilot then concluded he could neither complete the landing nor abort the landing before striking structures or other obstacles on the shore and deliberately nosed the airplane into the water to arrest its forward progress. As a result, the airplane’s fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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