Accident Overview
On June 17, 2012, at 1500 central daylight time, a Consolidated Aeronautics, Inc. model Lake LA-4-200 amphibious airplane, registration N3094P, sustained substantial damage during a landing at Gastons Airport (3M0), Lakeview, Arkansas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant and operator, was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, in day visual meteorological conditions, and without a flight plan. The cross-country flight originated from Stockton Lake, Missouri, at 1330, with the intended destination of 3M0.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that as the flight neared the destination, he assessed local weather by listening to the weather broadcast for nearby Baxter County Airport, which reported wind from the south at 5 knots. He then overflew the airport, observing the windsock and nearby trees, and concluded that the wind favored runway 24 (3,200 feet by 55 feet, turf/grass) with a left crosswind of approximately 4 knots. During the landing approach, he noted no appreciable crosswind correction was required and considered the wind calm.
Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced due to a hard landing, followed immediately by a left yaw. The pilot applied right rudder but observed no effect in realigning the airplane with the runway heading. He maintained pitch to prevent porpoising on the nose landing gear while continuing to apply full right rudder and aileron input to correct the left veer. He opted not to abort the landing, citing nearby trees that would interfere with a climb-out. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, impacting several trees before sliding down an embankment. The left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot surmised that wind shear during the landing flare induced a significant tailwind condition, leading to loss of directional control.
Weather Information
The nearest weather reporting station, Baxter County Airport (KBPK), located approximately 4 miles northeast of the accident site, provided conditions at 1453: wind from 200 degrees at 10 knots; visibility 10 miles; few clouds at 6,000 feet above ground level; temperature 33°C; dew point 16°C; altimeter 29.93 inches of mercury.
Aircraft Examination
A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed flight control continuity from cockpit controls to respective control surfaces. The airplane lacked nose wheel steering, relying on differential braking for directional control during ground operations. A functional test of the brake system revealed no anomalies. The examination found no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Registration and Operation
The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot.