N41SF

On July 22, 2000, at 1713 central daylight time, an amateur built, Floroski Anderson Kingfisher, N41SF, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with trees and the water during initial climb after a water takeoff at the Birch Lake Seaplane Base, Deerwood, Minnesota. The pilot reported that he was performing a touch and go at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight originated about 1700 cdt.

In a written statement, the pilot said that he had decided to perform a touch and go. He stated that after the takeoff, as he "... approached the S.E. [southeast] shore [he] was indicating less RPM and no climb. Too late [he] turned left along the shoreline and [k]new the trough to go through on the north. Only, in a very few feet it [the airplane] was settling not holding my own. A quick decision to try another left turn, but too slow, too low and no place to go.... Hit left rudder nose down and spun it in from 30 feet." The pilot also stated that after examining the wreckage, he found that the carburetor heat "...cable had bent in a "V", so the carb [carburetor] heat stayed on."