On August 29, 1999, a Lake LA-4-200 (registration N8002H) operated by Jack Browns Seplane Base was involved in an aviation accident near Winter Haven, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The bow was allowed to get too low during a step turn water takeoff, causing the right front hull to dig in and the aircraft to spin 180 degrees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a water takeoff in a left step turn, the bow was allowed too low, causing the right front hull to dig in and the aircraft to spin 180 degrees. The instructor took control but too late.
Accident Description
The flight had landed on a lake after the pilots had been practicing landings and takeoffs. During an attempt to perform a water takeoff in a left step turn, the bow of the aircraft was allowed to get too low. This caused the right front portion of the hull to dig into the water, resulting in the aircraft spinning approximately 180 degrees.
Pilot Statements
The flight instructor stated, '...I took control of the aircraft when the student did not correct the pitch attitude, but a split second too late.' The pilot receiving instruction stated, '...while completing a step turn taxi maneuver to the left apparently I allowed the bow to become too low swinging the aircraft 180 degrees to the right causing damage.'
Damage
The hull sustained damage as a result of the event.
Probable cause
The bow was allowed to get too low during a step turn water takeoff, causing the right front hull to dig in and the aircraft to spin 180 degrees.