Lake LA-4 accident near Lake Isabell, California, August 3, 2021
On August 3, 2021 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1968 Lake LA-4, registered N7615L, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Lake Isabell, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to establish a positive climb rate after takeoff, which resulted in an impact with an object.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 2021 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lake Isabell, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Lake LA-4 388, built 1968 · all LA-4s on the register
- Registration
- N7615L · no longer on the register · serial 388
- 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 reported that, after landing on the water he taxied to a boat ramp where he drained water out of the airplane before he took off from the top of the boat ramp. Once airborne, he established a climb attitude, but the airplane was not able to maintain a climb. He further added that there was insufficient time to raise the landing gear before the airplane landed on the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aft fuselage and empennage. A witness reported that he assisted the pilot in pulling the airplane out of the water and onto the boat ramp. The water was drained out of the airplane, and then the pilot commenced with the takeoff. The witness further reported that the airplane struck a tree branch before it impacted the water. Review of recorded video provided by the witness showed that the airplane departed from the top of a declining concrete boat ramp and became airborne just before the waterline at the bottom of the ramp. Throughout the takeoff sequence, the engine could be heard with no noticeable changes in sound. The video showed the airplane briefly remained airborne at a low altitude before it descended into the water. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector interviewed the pilot. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with 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
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Configuration › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, remote
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,440 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 33 in the last 30 days; 1,340 as pilot in command; 171 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 27, 2021
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WHP Pacoima CA at 3:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 2:54 pm from KBFL, 33 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBFL 032154Z 29008KT 7SM CLR 36/07 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP118 T03610072
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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR21LA312.