Lake LA-4 accident near Mulberry, Florida, July 4, 2001
On July 4, 2001 at about 7:35 pm local time, a Lake LA-4, registered N1235L, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mulberry, Florida (South Lakeland airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was rough and uneven terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2001 · about 7:35 pm local time
- Place
- Mulberry, Florida · South Lakeland · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Lake LA-4 · all LA-4s on the register
- Registration
- N1235L · registry record · serial 734
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after lift-off, the engine rpm went to idle and quit. The pilot initially attempted to return to the departure airport, but subsequently selected a nearby clearing for an emergency landing. The airplane collided with rough and uneven terrain, and burst into flames as the pilot maneuvered the airplane for the emergency landing. No contamination was observed in the oil filter element or suction screen. The pilot estimated that approximately 40 gallons of fuel were on board the airplane at the accident. Examination of the airframe and the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or a component failure.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 4,200 hours in all; 3,300 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 1, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Last flight review: May 1, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,630 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 16, 2000; 68.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,690 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO 360 A1B (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: X49 Mulberry FL at 6:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 40,000 ft; scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 5:50 pm from LAL, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.