Casualties unknown

2005-10-20: Cessna A185F (N7377H) — Lake Powell, UT

Lake Powell, UT, US

On October 20, 2005, a Cessna A185F (registration N7377H) was involved in an aviation accident near Lake Powell, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an aborted water takeoff run which resulted in the airplane colliding with a canyon wall. A contributing factor was the submerged object that the airplane struck during the takeoff run. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A floatplane struck a submerged object during a water takeoff from a lake in a narrow canyon, leading to a collision with the canyon wall and structural damage to the right wing.

Incident Overview

According to the pilot, the accident occurred during a water takeoff from a finger of a lake that extended into a narrow canyon. The pilot reported that during the takeoff run, the aircraft was almost on the step when the right float struck a submerged object. In response, the pilot aborted the takeoff by reducing power.

Events Following Abort

After power reduction, the airplane drifted to the right. The right wingtip then contacted the canyon wall. The airplane pivoted to the right, causing the right float to also contact the canyon wall. The aircraft subsequently came to a stop. The right wing sustained structural damage as a result of the impact.

Damage Assessment

The only detailed damage noted in the report was structural damage to the right wing. No other specific damage to the aircraft was mentioned.

Pilot Actions

The pilot's decision to abort the takeoff by reducing power was the immediate response to the float striking the submerged object. No other actions by the pilot were described in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20051109X01820. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.