WILLISTON, ND, USA
N5831T
CESSNA 185C
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A BRIDGE DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF AFTER FAILING TO GET AIRBORNE. THE PLT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF BUTTHE ACFT FAILED TO STOP IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A RAILROAD BRIDGE ABUTMENT MADE OF CONCRETE. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO SUB-FREEZING TEMPS WITH WATER INSIDE THE PONTOONS. THE SWELLING FROM THE FREEZING WATER (ICE) COMPROMISED THE FLOATS WHICH DEVELOPED LEAKS OF SEVERE NATURE; ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE ACFT TO SINK IN AN EST TWO HOURS. THE REASON THE ACFT DID NOT SINK WHEN LEFT UNATTENTED FOR 2 WKS WAS BECAUSE IT WAS AGROUND. WHEN THE PLT PUMPED THE WATER (NO ICE INSIDE ACCORDING TO HIM) OUT AND LAUNCHED THE ACFT HE MADE NO FURTHER PRE-FLT CHECKS BUT IMMEDIATELY STARTED A TAKEOFF TAXI.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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