Accident Overview
On September 12, 2010, about 1553 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 185A airplane, N4038Y, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain following a takeoff from a lake, about 28 miles west of Paxson, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91. The commercial pilot received serious injuries, and the three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Report
During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on September 21, the pilot said the airplane had lifted off the lake and climbed to about 200 feet above the lake level when he initiated a climbing left turn. He stated there was rising terrain ahead which the airplane was capable of out climbing, but his destination was behind him. The wind had been about 15 knots on the nose during takeoff, and he initiated the climbing left turn with 70 knots of airspeed. He reported encountering a wind gust from the right which increased the angle of bank to 50-60 degrees. The airplane started to descend and wind shear rolled it to the left again. The pilot was able to level the wings prior to impact with terrain. He noted that he should have climbed straight ahead and gained more altitude before making the turn. The pilot stated the airplane was well maintained, with no mechanical problems prior to the accident.
Damage
A passenger reported that the airplane received substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Due to the remote location, the airplane was not examined by the NTSB.