Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200 N8543H

Summary

On 18 July 2010 at about 03:30 local time, a Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200 registered N8543H, operated by Strother George C, was involved in an accident near Skwentna, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 July 2010 at 03:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Skwentna, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

62.0000, -151.3667

Aircraft

Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA-4-200

Registration

N8543H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Strother George C

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Skwentna → Palmer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC10LA062

1 person was seriously injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.