Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ANC94LA099

KING SALMON, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N5120X

CESSNA 206

Analysis

THE PILOT, CONDUCTING FISH GUIDING OPERATIONS UNDER 14 CFR PART 91, ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF ACROSS THE SHORT PART OF THE LAKE INTO AN 8 KNOT HEADWIND. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE BUT SETTLED BACK ONTO THE WATER BEYOND THE POINT OF NO RETURN. THE FLOATS STRUCK THE SHORELINE AND THEY SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ONTO THE BANK.

Factual Information

On August 5, 1994, at 1645 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N5120X, registered to and operated by John (Jack) Holman of No See Um Lodge, King Salmon, Alaska, and piloted by Mark Kniprath of Sterling, Alaska, struck the shoreline of Crosswind Lake, located 60 miles northeast of King Salmon, during the takeoff run. The business flight, conducting fish guiding operations under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing the Lake and the destination was the Lodge located on the Kvichak River. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Commercial Certificated Pilot and the three passengers were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage. According to the pilot, he was taking off to the southeast into an estimated 8 knot head wind. The takeoff direction was across the short part of the lake. The airplane became airborne and then settled back onto the water after it passed the point of no return. The airplane struck the shoreline, ripped the floats off and nosed over onto the bank. The owner was sent an NTSB Form 6120.1/2 and he returned it with a note stating the pilot could not complete it because he was out of town. The owner did not provide any airplane information on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE AVAILABLE LONGER PORTION OF THE LAKE FOR THE TAKEOFF RUN.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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