2008 Cessna A185F Accident at Lake Nahwatzel (N6320N)

Accident Overview and Flight History On July 24, 2008, at approximately 1515 Pacific daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna A185F, registration N6320N, struck terrain while taking off from Lake Nahwatzel near Shelton, Washington. The aircraft was being operated by its owner under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The pilot and one passenger were killed, and a post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft. The flight was a cross-country personal trip with a planned destination of Auburn, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. Witnesses reported that the aircraft landed on the lake and taxied to the middle. They observed two men exit the aircraft, sit on the pontoons, and re-enter about 30 minutes later. The engine started without difficulty, and the aircraft taxied across the lake several times. Some witnesses believed the aircraft was having trouble becoming airborne and that the pilot was attempting to rough up the water's surface. The aircraft returned to the south end, turned, and departed to the northeast. The aircraft lifted off near the end of the lake. Witnesses stated that the wings wobbled when it reached about 100 feet above the water and clear of the trees, after which it rolled hard to the left and descended nose-down into the terrain. Some witnesses thought the pilot cut power before the left turn, while others detected no change and saw no signs of engine problems. One witness, a pilot at his residence on the east side of the lake, reported that the engine sounded normal during taxi and takeoff. The wind was light. When the aircraft passed his range of vision, it had a very nose-high attitude and was not gaining significant altitude. He could not judge the altitude but indicated the aircraft was low. The nose dipped slightly and then went back up, but the aircraft gained little altitude before maneuvering out of sight and hearing.