Pilot Debrief

LAKE LA-4-200 near Apopka, FL — 2008-12-17

Final reportERA09CA121
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Date
2008-12-17
Location
Apopka, FL, USA
Aircraft
LAKE LA-4-200
Registration
N85213
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had completed two water landings to a lake and was climbing the airplane for a third when, about 200 feet above the water, he reduced power to simulate a "power out or reduced power landing." As the pilot "attempted to round out the glide for the landing," he could not arrest the descent and the airplane landed hard. The pilot took off again, then made a precautionary water landing to a full stop. The airplane and engine appeared to be undamaged, so the pilot took off again and made two touch-and-go landings to another lake, followed by a full stop landing. At that point the engine sounded "rough," so the pilot taxied to shore where he discovered that a propeller blade tip was missing, that a propeller strike had occurred to the turtle top, and that the hull was taking on water. Mechanics later changed the propeller, and the airplane was deemed airworthy to fly to another location for further inspection. A few days later, structural damage was found to cross-frames in the hull. Weather at a nearby airport, about the time of the hard landing, included clear skies and calm winds.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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