Accident
On a flight from Prince George, British Columbia, to Scoop Lake, the pilot departed Runway 19 at Prince George Airport. After climbing to about 270 feet above ground level, the aircraft abruptly pitched up, turned left, and descended into trees about 600 feet left of the extended runway centerline. The aircraft was airborne for less than 47 seconds. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. No fire occurred.
Aircraft and Flight
The accident aircraft was a Cessna 185B (serial number 185-0601, registration C-FPKJ). The flight originated in Kelowna, British Columbia, where it was loaded with supplies for a hunting/fishing camp at Scoop Lake. The leg from Kelowna to Prince George was uneventful, landing at 1626 Pacific daylight time. At Prince George, about 115 litres of avgas were added to fill both wing tanks. The aircraft then backtracked to the displaced threshold of Runway 19 and was cleared for take-off with a right turn out. Communications were normal before take-off at 1654. No communications occurred after the take-off roll began.
Prince George Airport has an elevation of 2267 feet above sea level. Runway 19 is 3770 feet long and 75 feet wide with a displaced threshold of 370 feet; take-off distance available was 3770 feet.
Investigation Findings
The engine was operating normally, making engine failure unlikely. Take-off distance and climb speeds were consistent with the owner's manual. The aircraft's center of gravity (CG) was near the aft limit, and the flight path after take-off was consistent with an aft-heavy, pitch-unstable aircraft. The horizontal stabilizer was trimmed to a position consistent with an aft CG. Gusty, turbulent winds and the retraction of the flaps would have exacerbated the unstable condition. Unrestrained cargo may have shifted rearward, moving the CG further aft.
The investigation concluded that loss of pitch control, consistent with an aft CG, occurred in gusty and turbulent conditions at a height too low for the pilot to recover. The unrestrained cargo likely struck the pilot during the crash and may have contributed to his injuries.
Probable Cause
Loss of pitch control, consistent with an aft centre of gravity (CG), occurred in gusty and turbulent conditions at a height too low for the pilot to effect recovery. The cargo was unrestrained, which may have allowed some cargo to shift rearwards during the take-off and climb, resulting in an extremely aft CG.