History of the Flight
The aircraft departed from the main float base on Snakeskin Lake, Ontario, to collect two passengers at a lodge on Noganosh Lake. After arriving, a third person requested to join the flight. The pilot loaded the three passengers and their equipment, then taxied approximately 700 feet eastward, parallel to the dock, before turning north for take-off. The aircraft traveled about 2,400 feet before becoming airborne. Immediately after liftoff, the pilot initiated a steep left turn to pass between an island and the shoreline. To navigate the passage, the pilot made a quick, steep right turn followed by another steep left turn. During the final left turn, the aircraft struck trees on the shore. It continued about 100 feet before hitting the water and sinking in approximately 30 feet of water, 20 feet from shore. The accident occurred at 1657 eastern daylight time, in daylight hours, at latitude 45°49'N, longitude 080°16'W.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 23, held a commercial pilot licence with 392 total flying hours, including 133 hours on type. He was certified and qualified for the flight. The pilot had received a float endorsement in May 1994 and began training and employment with Rainbow Airways shortly thereafter. Before departure, he attended a morning briefing and discussed the flight information with a more experienced company pilot.
Aircraft Information
Manufacturer: Cessna Aircraft Corporation; Type and model: A185E Skywagon; Year of manufacture: 1967; Serial number: 185 1272. The aircraft was equipped with Wipline model 3700 floats and one Continental IO-520-D engine. Maximum allowable take-off weight was 3,350 lb. The aircraft was certified, equipped, and maintained in accordance with existing regulations. Weight and center of gravity were within prescribed limits.
Meteorological Information
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The automatic weather reporting station at Britt, Ontario, 12 miles west of Noganosh Lake, reported at 1700 EDT a temperature of 16°C, wind from 290° true at 11 knots with a peak gust of 28 knots. Environment Canada described the air mass as convectively unstable with strong, gusty winds, favorable for moderate turbulence. Witness reports and a videotape taken at the time corroborated these conditions.
Take-off Performance
The aircraft was equipped with Wipline floats, for which take-off performance charts were unavailable. The Cessna Floatplane supplement for EDO 2960 floats indicated that at a gross weight of 3,320 pounds, smooth water, no head wind, and 20° flaps, approximately 2,500 feet were needed to clear a 50-foot obstacle. The accident flight's take-off weight was 3,309 pounds. The pilot did not taxi south into Turner's Bay, a procedure reportedly used by other pilots to maximize distance; instead, he began the take-off run from a point only slightly south of Dan's Island, leaving about 4,200 feet available. It is not known why the pilot chose this position. On a previous flight, the pilot had used a similar take-off point under calm conditions with a lighter aircraft (2,537 pounds), which had been uneventful.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Initial impact occurred on a heading of about 165° magnetic while the aircraft was in a steep, skidding left turn with flaps retracted. The aircraft struck a tree, then the rocky shoreline, and finally the water. The engine was producing high power at impact. The right float was destroyed and the right wing was torn off at the root. Both side door windows were fully open; a small hole in the right rear passenger window was the only broken window. The aircraft came to rest upright in about 30 feet of water, 20 feet from shore, 100 feet from the first impact scars.
Survival Aspects
Passengers received a comprehensive safety briefing at Snakeskin Lake, covering seat-belt use, door operation, and life jacket demonstration. The briefing at Noganosh Lake was less comprehensive. The aircraft was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. The pilot was conscientious about lap belt use, and witnesses confirmed all occupants fastened lap belts. Examination showed no belt malfunction except the left rear passenger seat-belt floor attachment had become detached. The surviving passenger, who had occupied that seat, exited through the left door window and swam to shore. Witnesses reacted immediately but took several minutes to reach the site.
Probable Cause
The Board determined that the pilot began the take-off run from a position on the lake which did not allow sufficient distance for the take-off and climb-out.