N9563H

On September 3, 2002, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N9563H, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a river bank during takeoff from a remote river area, about 17 miles east-northeast of Pilot Point, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14, CFR Part 91 visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The intended destination was King Salmon, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 5, the pilot reported that he was departing from the Ugashic River, adjacent to Ugashic Lake. The pilot said the river channel was narrow because of low water conditions, and there was a right crosswind from the east about 15 knots. The pilot indicated he began the takeoff run toward the northeast. The airplane was on-step, and he attempted a step turn to the right to remain in the river channel. The pilot said that due to "P" factor, he was unable to turn to the right. He said that the river area ahead of the departure path ended at the river bank. He lowered the flaps and rotated the airplane into a climb attitude to avoid colliding with the bank. With an airspeed of about 50 knots, the pilot said he "hopped" the airplane over the river bank, but the tails of the floats collided with several trees. The airplane settled into the trees and received damage to the float assemblies and the wings.