What happened
On a sightseeing excursion near Whistler, British Columbia, a Cessna 185 floatplane operated by Whistler Air Services Ltd. departed from Green Lake for a short flight. The aircraft, registered C-XXXX (not specified in source, but operating as a local floatplane), was carrying a pilot and four passengers. Shortly after lifting off, the aircraft struggled to gain altitude, performing a longer-than-normal takeoff run.
As the aircraft approached the end of the lake, the pilot initiated a right turn to avoid trees along the shoreline. During a subsequent turn toward the downwind direction, the aircraft's airspeed dropped, and the stall warning horn sounded intermittently. The floatplane abruptly descended, striking the water with its right wingtip and right float. The impact caused both floats to detach, and the aircraft sank in approximately 15 feet of water. All five occupants managed to escape the sinking wreckage with minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's performance and the pilot's maneuvers. Investigators examined the engine, finding the Continental engine was producing sufficient power and that the propeller blades showed damage consistent with the impact. The aircraft's weight and balance were reviewed, noting the plane was operating near its maximum gross weight of 3320 pounds.
Technical analysis of the wing flaps revealed that while the pilot intended to use 20° of flaps for takeoff, the flaps were found to be fully retracted (0°) upon recovery. Investigators also looked into the condition of the floats, noting that certain compartments were known to leak, which could have introduced unexpected weight during the long taxi period.