NTSB Factual Report

On August 21, 2001, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 185F airplane, N111FB, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from Boswell Bay Airstrip, located about 15 miles southwest of Cordova, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company VFR flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the accident airstrip and was en route to Cordova.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 21, the pilot reported that while departing to the east on a grass-covered airstrip, just after lift-off, a strong gust of wind from the left pushed the tail of the airplane to the right, and the airplane veered to the left. The left wing struck a stand of trees, and the airplane continued off the left side of the airstrip. It came to rest in a stand of trees adjacent to the airstrip edge, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were trees and a variable wind.