The pilot of the amphibious-float equipped Cessna 185 reported that, while departing from Rangeley Lake in Maine, the floatplane was not “gaining airspeed as usual” and that the takeoff run was taking “longer.”
Prior to aborting the takeoff, the left float lifted off the water, followed shortly by the right float.
While in ground effect, the floatplane started to roll to the right. He corrected with full left aileron, but the floatplane continued to roll to the right. He then reduced power and applied 40º of flaps and still the floatplane rolled right, so he increased the throttle to full and the right wing impacted the water.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, while the pilot sustained minor injuries.
Two witnesses reported that, about an hour before the accident, the same floatplane controlled by the same pilot water taxied over rocks near the floatplane deck.
The pilot added that the lake was 2 to 3 feet lower than normal and while water taxiing back to the floatplane deck, he saw the rocks, but did not realize it caused any damage to the floats.
After the flight, he did not find any residual water in the floats but did not examine the rest of the floats because it was under water.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the floats, which led to his subsequent attempt to depart from a lake with damaged floats and led to a loss of roll control and the right wing impacting the water.
This August 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Not just preflight. Pumping the floats f o r water is normal. Some water is expected.
But planning for low lake levels should have included water taxi to look for rocks, logs, sand bars. Maybe with wheels down to protect the floats.
Then retract the wheels and back taxi.