Lake LA4 accident near Hickory, North Carolina, April 4, 2020
On April 4, 2020 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1984 Lake LA4, registered N84PF, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Hickory, North Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 4, 2020 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hickory, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Lake LA4 200, built 1984 · all LA4s on the register
- Registration
- N84PF · no longer on the register · serial 1100
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,062 hours in all; 1,726 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 3,062 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 17, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,975 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 11, 2019; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,690 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 (piston); 3,551 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Hickory NC at 9:30 pm
- Destination: Hickory NC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KHKY, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on September 8, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Memorandum for Record G Mitchell | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Memorandum for Record Booth | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Witness Statement - Rominger | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | NTSB Memorandum for Record Kuhn | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Excerpts - Pilot Logbook | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Excerpt - Maintenance Logbook | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Wreckage Location Diagrams | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.