Pilot Debrief

CONSOLIDATED AERONAUTICS INC. LAKE LA-4-200 near Skwentna, AK — 2010-07-18

Final reportANC10LA062
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Date
2010-07-18
Location
Skwentna, AK, USA
Aircraft
CONSOLIDATED AERONAUTICS INC. LAKE LA-4-200
Registration
N8543H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a nose-low impact with glassy water and a subsequent nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention while landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he was performing touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings in his seaplane in glassy water conditions. The first two landings were harder than normal and the airplane bounced. On the third landing, the airplane landed hard and nosed over. The pilot recalled that his airspeed during the approach was 60 knots and was descending at 150 feet-per-minute. He additionally stated that, after crossing the shoreline, he glanced down at the vertical speed indicator where his eyes remained focused during the impact with the water. He said that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing after the first two hard landings.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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