Consolidated Aeronautics, Inc Lake LA-4-200 accident near Oroville, CA
On August 21, 2004, a Consolidated Aeronautics, Inc Lake LA-4-200 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Oroville, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 21, 2004
- Place
- Oroville, CA
- Aircraft
- Consolidated Aeronautics, Inc Lake LA-4-200 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.464°N, 121.679°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040828X01302
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 21, 2004, at 1145 Pacific daylight time, a Consolidated Aeronautics, Inc. Lake LA-4-200, N1238L, drug a pontoon during low-flight and descended into a lake about 4 miles southwest of Oroville Municipal Airport, Oroville, California. The airplane sank and was submerged in 15 feet of water. The private pilot was operating the airplane, registered to Take Flight, Inc., under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was destroyed. The pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that departed from Live Oak earlier that day. No flight plan had been filed, nor was one required. According to a family member of the pilot, the pilot and passenger were old friends. The purpose of the flight was for pleasure and they were intending to fly around the local area. A witness, who was on a jet ski in the Thermalito Afterbay of Oroville Lake, noticed the airplane flying overhead. Due to the uniqueness of the airplane, he noticed it immediately. The airplane made one landing, took off again, then circled the area and landed again. The airplane taxied around to the boat area, and then someone in the airplane closed the cockpit door. The airplane started building speed, traveling southbound. As it lifted from the glassy-surfaced water, the airplane was about 20 feet above it, traveling about 70 miles per hour. Then, it "kissed" the surface of the water. It abruptly headed up to about 50 feet above the water. The airplane fell straight down and sank immediately. The witness could not reca
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water's surface, which resulted in his dragging of the right wing pontoon during low-altitude flight. The glassy-surfaced water was a contributing factor to the accident.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
