What happened
On a summer afternoon at Noganosh Lake, Ontario, a Cessna A185E Skywagon was preparing for its final scheduled flight of the day. After picking up three passengers and their gear at a local lodge, the pilot began a takeoff run from a position on the lake that provided limited distance.
As the aircraft became airborne, the pilot attempted to navigate a narrow passage between an island and the shoreline. This maneuver required a series of steep, aggressive turns. During the final left-hand turn, the aircraft struck trees along the western shore. The impact caused the right wing to separate from the aircraft and destroyed the right float. The plane then hit the rocky shoreline and sank in approximately 30 feet of water. While one passenger managed to exit the wreckage and swim to safety, the pilot and the remaining two passengers perished in the accident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's performance capabilities and the environmental conditions at the time of the crash. The investigation established that the aircraft's weight was significantly higher than it had been during a successful takeoff from the same location just days prior. Additionally, the weather was characterized by strong, gusty winds and an unstable air mass, which could have produced moderate turbulence or downdrafts.
Technical analysis of the wreckage and witness accounts confirmed that the engine was at high power during the impact. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's takeoff path, noting that while more water was available by taxiing further south into Turner's Bay, the pilot began the run much closer to the island. There was no evidence of mechanical failure or pilot incapacitation.
Findings
- The pilot initiated the takeoff from a location that provided insufficient distance for a successful takeoff and climb-out.
- The aircraft's higher takeoff weight and the presence of gusty winds increased the required runway length compared to previous flights.
- The pilot's attempt to negotiate the passage between the island and the shore via steep turns prevented the aircraft from gaining necessary altitude.
- The aircraft may have encountered a tailwind or a downdraft during the climb, further hindering performance.
- The pilot's takeoff technique may have contributed to the extended length of the takeoff run.