Consolidated Aeronautics, Inc. Lake LA-4-200 accident near Lakeview, Arkansas, June 17, 2012
On June 17, 2012 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Consolidated Aeronautics, Inc. Lake LA-4-200, registered N3094P, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Lakeview, Arkansas (Gastons Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 17, 2012 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lakeview, Arkansas · Gastons Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Consolidated Aeronautics, Inc. Lake LA-4-200
- Registration
- N3094P · registry record · serial 978
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, in addition to listening to the weather broadcast for a nearby airport, he ascertained the wind condition at the intended destination by observing the windsock and trees near the runway. Based on these observations, he determined the wind condition favored a landing to the southwest with a left crosswind of about 4 knots. He reported that no appreciable crosswind correction was required throughout his landing approach, and he concluded that the wind was calm. The airplane bounced after a hard landing and then began to yaw to the left. The pilot reported that his inputs of right rudder and aileron were unsuccessful in realigning the airplane with the runway heading. He elected not to abort the landing because there were nearby trees that would interfere with his climb out. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted several trees before sliding down an embankment. The pilot surmised that the airplane encountered wind shear during the landing flare, which resulted in a significant tailwind condition and his loss of control. However, a postaccident review of available weather data was not consistent with the airplane having encountered a variable or gusty wind condition. Postaccident examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
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
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
- Runway excursion during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,261 hours in all; 832 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 1,195 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 7, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,976 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 2, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: None Stockton Lake MO at 6:30 pm
- Destination: 3M0 Lakeview AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,200 ft by 55 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KBPK, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.