Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation to assure the airplane would maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the river bank during takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot and three passengers were departing from the mouth of a river in a float equipped airplane, to return the passengers to a fishing lodge. During the takeoff, the airplane became airborne, but struck the edge of a 7 foot high river bank. The airplane slid over the bank and down toward an ocean beach, then nosed over. It received damage to the floats, wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 3, 1995, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 180, N5293D, crashed during takeoff from a remote river, about 75 miles southeast of Igiugig, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business/fish guiding flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Kvichak Lodge, Igiugig, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and 3 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he was departing from the mouth of the Big River on the Alaska peninsula in the Katmai National Park. During the takeoff, the airplane became airborne but struck the edge of a 7 foot high river bank. The airplane slid over the bank and down toward an ocean beach and then nosed over. The airplane received damage to the floats, wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. -