Lake LA-4 N1029L

Summary

On 29 April 2014 at about 22:40 local time, a Lake LA-4 registered N1029L, operated by Jay E Seward II, was involved in an accident near Chapin, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 April 2014 at 22:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Chapin, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

34.0653, -81.3606

Aircraft

Lake LA-4

Registration

N1029L

Category

Airplane

Year built

1963

Engines

1

Operator

Jay E Seward II

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Winnsboro → Chapin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA14CA225

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in abnormal contact with the water and separation of the right pontoon..

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the amphibian airplane stated that the airplane was properly configured for landing on a lake, with the landing gear retracted and the flaps extended. The approach was normal; however, the pilot heard a loud bang immediately after touchdown and felt a lateral force in the cockpit. He then observed that the right wing pontoon had separated and he exited the cockpit before the airplane sank. Two witnesses were in a nearby boat and rescued the pilot. The witnesses reported that the pilot commented about the accident landing. He stated that it was only his fourth landing on the water and that the water was calm, which can affect depth perception. The witnesses added that the right wing pontoon contacted the water first, which spun the airplane. The airplane sank in an area of the lake that was approximately 120 feet deep. As of 60 days after the accident, the wreckage had not been located and recovered. The right pontoon was recovered. The pilot possessed a single-engine sea rating and reported 21 hours in the make and model airplane. He also reported 4,360 total hours of flight experience.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.