Incident Overview
A Cessna 185 floatplane was engaged in a flight to transport supplies to a lodge in preparation for the arrival of seasonal guests. The lodge owner also owned the airplane.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he commenced the takeoff with one notch of flap, corresponding to 10 degrees, in gusty wind conditions. The Cessna 185 floatplane owner's manual supplement recommends the use of 20 degrees of flap for takeoff. The takeoff and initial climb were uneventful.
Sequence of Events
After reaching 500 feet, the pilot began a downwind turn. During the turn, the airplane began to settle despite the application of full power. The pilot reported experiencing no problems with the engine.
Weight Considerations
At the time of the accident, the airplane exceeded the maximum authorized gross takeoff weight limitation by 252 pounds.