1 fatal · AEROFAB INC. Lake LA-4-250 · 2015-09-09 · Somerset, NJ, USA
Event
NTSB number
ERA15FA348
Event ID
20150910X60344
Type
Accident
Date
2015-09-09
Location
Somerset, NJ, USA
Coordinates
40.622222, -74.673332
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
1
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
1
Aircraft
Make
AEROFAB INC.
Model
Lake LA-4-250
Registration
N1401P
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
NITE
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's attempted 180-degree return to the runway immediately after takeoff in dark night conditions, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a takeoff with little-to-no fuel on board the airplane.