N60859

On September 19, 1999, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 185F airplane, N60859, sustained substantial damage after colliding with terrain during takeoff from a remote lake, about 18 miles southeast of Pilot Point, Alaska, at longitude 57 degree, 18 minutes north, and longitude 157 degrees, 17 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) nonscheduled flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by C-Air, King Salmon, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 19, 1999, the pilot reported he landed at a lake to retrieve moose meat and antlers. He was assisted by a non-revenue passenger. The lake is oriented east/west, about 1,900 feet long, and about 800 feet wide. The meat had been left behind the day before the accident, when the pilot transported hunting clients from the lake to King Salmon. The meat and antlers were loaded into the airplane by the pilot and the passenger. During the accident flight, the pilot said he departed the lake toward the west, and lifted off about 300 feet before the end of the lake. The airplane climbed to about 50 feet above the ground, and then encountered a downdraft from mountains/hills located south of the accident scene. He said full power was already applied to the engine, but the airplane descended into soft, marshy terrain, and nosed over. The airplane received damage to the propeller, the right wing, and the left wing spar.

In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, the pilot indicated the weather conditions were, in part: Clouds and sky condition, 2,500 feet broken; wind, from the south (180 degrees) at 8 knots; visibility, 25 miles; temperature, 50 degrees F; precipitation, none; turbulence, none to light.

On September 20, 1999, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported he interviewed the hunting client who owned the moose meat. The client indicated he arranged for the pilot to pick up the meat and antlers. The client said the meat was divided into 10 bags, each weighing about 75 pounds apiece.

An Alaska State Trooper responded to the accident scene on September 20, 1999. The trooper reported the airplane came to rest about 200 to 300 feet beyond the west end of the lake. He estimated the moose meat and antlers weighed between 465 to 505 pounds.