N9033L

On September 15, 1996, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Champion 7GCBC, N9033L, crashed during takeoff from a remote area lake about 44 miles west of Skwentna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

On September 17, 1996, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he was departing Puntilla Lake located in the Alaska Mountain Range. The lake is located at an elevation of 2,000 feet mean sea level. During the takeoff toward the west, the pilot indicated a right quartering headwind of 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots, was present in the area. The departure path placed the airplane in the lee of a small mountain. After departure, the airplane would only climb to about 100 feet above the ground. The pilot indicated that higher terrain and trees were in the departure path. He lowered the nose of the airplane to increase the airspeed to about 75 MPH. He then pulled the nose of the airplane back and cleared several trees but the airspeed began to decrease. The right wing then contacted a tree and the airplane descended into numerous other trees. The airplane received damage to the floats, wings and fuselage.

The pilot included a safety recommendation in the pilot/operator report submitted to the NTSB. The pilot noted the accident could have been prevented by..." making two trips, wait for more beneficial wind condition and departure route."