Lake LA4 N84PF

Summary

On 4 April 2020 at about 21:30 local time, a Lake LA4 registered N84PF was involved in an accident near Hickory, North Carolina, 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

4 April 2020 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Hickory, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.8011, -81.3028

Aircraft

Lake LA4

Registration

N84PF

Category

Airplane

Year built

1984

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hickory → Hickory

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA20CA144

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and attempted takeoff with obstacles in the direction of departure, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane during the rejected takeoff.

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 was conducting a takeoff from a lake when he rejected the takeoff because there were power lines and a bridge in the direction of takeoff and he was unsure whether the airplane would be able to clear them. During the rejected takeoff, he reduced engine power; however, the airplane became airborne. He initiated a slight right turn toward more open water. After touching down, the airplane "water looped." The aft portion of the fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.