Aircraft and Pilot Information
The accident involved a Lake LA-4-200 airplane, registration N1040L, owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The solo pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate and was not injured. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules as a personal local flight; no flight plan was filed.
Sequence of Events
On February 25, 2014, at approximately 1230 Pacific standard time, the pilot intended to fly in the airport traffic pattern and perform several full stop landings at Corona Airport (KAJO), Corona, California. During the pre-takeoff run-up, the engine ran rough on the right magneto. After leaning the mixture, the issue resolved, and the pilot completed the pre-takeoff checklist.
Following an initial takeoff and landing, the pilot proceeded with a second takeoff. Climbing to about 800 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot turned back toward the airport but determined that the runway could not be reached. He then steered toward an open grassy area on the airport property and prepared for an emergency landing. During the landing, the left main landing gear side-loaded and collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported no prior mechanical issues with the airplane and stated that he did not refuel before the flight, believing the tank was about one-quarter full.
Post-Accident Examination
On March 19, at the direction of the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge and under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration air safety inspector, the engine was test-run. No fuel was added. The aircraft has a single central main fuel tank, conical in shape with the taper at the bottom, resulting in no unusable fuel. The engine pickup and fuel sump drain are at the lowest point. The engine was started per the aircraft’s checklist and operated with the electric auxiliary fuel pump both on and off. No mechanical anomalies were found during the engine run.