According to the pilot of the amphibious Lake LA-4, during the takeoff run on a lake near Morganton, N.C., with choppy water, the plane encountered about a 6-inch-high wave and water looped.
When it encountered the wave, the airplane’s nose pitched up, the airplane ascended momentarily, then settled to the water. The right sponson and wing hit the water and immediately spun the aircraft to the right.
The airplane’s right wing sustained substantial damage.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the departure, resulting in substantial damage to the airplanes right wing.
NTSB Identification: GAA16CA062
This November 2015 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I have been flying Lakes for 25 years, nearly 200 hours, and this accident could not have happened if the pilot knew what he was doing. A 6-inch wave is nothing to a Lake. A two foot wave may cause a problem for the inexperienced, but not 6 inches!
Typo, it should have said said nearly 2000 (two thousand) hours.
Somebody had his head, up and locked for takeoff