N3588

On May 22, 1993, at approximately 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N3588, was substantially damaged upon impact with a sand bar while attempting a water takeoff near Timbalier Isle, in the Gulf of Mexico. The commercial pilot and his 3 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 135 flight.

According to the operator, in a written statement, the airplane was on a return trip from an all day fishing trip to Timbalier Isle. The pilot attempted to takeoff in the same area where he made a successful water landing one hour prior to the accident. The operator added that the airplane was at rotation speed when both floats impacted a sand bar in the prevailing low tide conditions, resulting in the airplane nosing over and coming to rest inverted in the shallow water. The pilot further reported that if "he had left earlier or to have had better knowledge of the area," the accident would not have happened.