HEMPSTEAD, NY, USA
N30NC
CESSNA A185F
THE AMPHIBIAN-EQUIPPED AIRPLANE STARTED THE WATER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT STATED: 'TO AVOID BIRDS I ADJUSTED TO [THE] LEFT, TO AVOID MARSH I WENT FURTHER LEFT WHERE I RAN OUT OF WATER.' THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE SHALLOW MARSH AND NOSED OVER.
On Friday, May 13, 1994, at 1735 eastern daylight time, an amphibian-equipped Cessna A185F, N30NC, registered to Larry Wallach and piloted by Arthur W. Watkins, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff on Hewlett Bay, Hempstead, New York. The pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he was conducting a water takeoff in a westerly direction, when he made a turn to avoid birds. He also reported, "To avoid [a] marsh I went further left, where I ran out of water." The airplane entered shallow water, impacted terrain and nosed over. Both occupants were able to evacuate the airplane through the cabin door.
THE INADVERTENT COLLISION WITH A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION AFTER SWERVING TO AVOID BIRDS DURING A WATER TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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