Lake LA 4 200 accident near Corona, California, February 25, 2014
On February 25, 2014 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 1974 Lake LA 4 200, registered N1040L, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Corona, California (Corona 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 loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 25, 2014 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Corona, California · Corona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Lake LA 4 200 200, built 1974 · all LA 4 200s on the register
- Registration
- N1040L · no longer on the register · serial 633
- 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 he intended to fly the airplane in the airport traffic pattern and perform several full-stop landings. During the engine run-up before the first takeoff, the engine ran roughly on the right magneto. The pilot leaned the fuel mixture, which resolved the problem. He then completed the pretakeoff checklist, and, subsequently, he took off in the airplane, completed the pattern, and made a full-stop landing. During the second takeoff, the pilot climbed the airplane to about 800 feet above ground level where the engine lost power. After turning the airplane back toward the airport, the pilot determined that the airplane would not reach the runway, so he maneuvered the airplane toward an open grassy area on the airport. During the landing, he side-loaded the left main landing gear, which subsequently collapsed. A postaccident test run of the airplane's engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,281 hours in all; 377 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 6,113 as pilot in command; 298 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 14, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,573 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 2,599 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO360-A1B (piston); 2,553 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KAJO Corona CA at 9:00 pm
- Destination: KAJO Corona CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 8:20 pm from KAJO, 1 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.