Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA 4 200 N613LC

Summary

On 22 May 2015 at about 17:30 local time, a Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA 4 200 registered N613LC, operated by Prairie Sales Inc, was involved in an accident near Glenwood, Minnesota, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 May 2015 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Glenwood, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

45.6508, -95.3889

Aircraft

Consolidated Aeronautics LAKE LA 4 200

Registration

N613LC

Category

Airplane

Year built

1978

Engines

1

Operator

Prairie Sales Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Clear Lake → Glenwood

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA15CA086

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper lateral/ bank level off during the landing flare, which resulted in the right wing impacting the water and a subsequent loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that he made a normal approach to landing with near glassy water conditions. Shortly after contact with the water, the right sponson separated and the right wing impacted the water, causing the airplane to spin 180 degrees and come to a stop. The pilot attempted to water taxi to shore, but the cabin area began taking on water. Before reaching the shore, the pilot and passenger decided to perform an emergency evacuation and boarded a boat that had come to provide assistance. The airplane sunk after the pilot and passenger evacuated the airplane.  During a post-accident interview with the pilot, he stated that "the right wing may have dipped" during landing and reported "significant damage" to the right wing flap after the sponson separated during the touchdown. The airplane was later recovered, but the right sponson was not located. A Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector observed damage to the right wing at the wing root and noted the sponson detachment does not appear to have been due to any design or assembly issue. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.