Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper planning/decision and delayed decision to abort the takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of a float plane started to take off from a lake. During the takeoff run, he elected to aborted the takeoff, since there was not sufficient lake area remaining to take off. However, before the airplane could be stopped, it collided with the shoreline and trees.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 10, 1995, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 172, N758PX, registered to and operated by Alaska Northern Adventures, crashed into the shoreline of Hangitia Lake, located 85 miles northeast of Cordova, Alaska, after an aborted takeoff. The business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing Hangitia Lake and the destination was Cordova. A company flight plan was in effect. The commercial certificated pilot and the two passengers were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to the operator, Alaska Northern Adventures, the pilot aborted the takeoff because "the pilot ran out of lake." The airplane struck the shore of the lake and then struck some trees. An NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was sent to the operator on August 17, 1995, a second form was sent on September 20, 1995. Telephonic messages left with the operator on December 12, 1995, and January 12, 1996, went unanswered. According to Federal Aviation Administration Medical records, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the pilot had a total flight time of 3700 hours and 25 hours within the preceding six months of the medical certificate application date of April 17, 1995. -