NTSB Factual Report

On August 5, 2001, about 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N2904Q, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with water during takeoff from Crane Lake (CDD), Crane Lake, Minnesota. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported that he sustained no injury. He reported that one of his passengers was uninjured and the other passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Pike Lake, near Duluth, Minnesota.

The pilot reported:

After refueling we taxied to east end of lake (see X on map) [.] West

wind at est. 12 knots. Prior to takeoff checklist completed controls

tested free and correct. After aircraft on step and flying speed attained

(60 kts) the right float was raised and slight back pressure we were

airborne. On attempting to move control wheel to the right to level the a/c,

the control wheel was jammed. I immediately suspected that the rf seat

passengers knee was beneath the right side of the control wheel

preventing return to neutral position. I shouted to him to move his knee

but the control wheel remained jammed. The a/c continued in a left bank

reaching est. altitude of 30 to 50 feet above the water. The left bank

increased and we began to loose altitude despite full power. The aircraft

impacted the water in approx. a 40 [degree] bank (lt) and 45 [degree] nose

down attitude. We completed approx. 180 [degree] turn from our takeoff

heading. ... After liftoff this happened very quickly. Probably in less than

10 or 15 seconds.

At 1458, the recorded CDD wind was 200 degrees at 5 knots.

The passenger stated:

... The plane was in a hard left bank making it clear that if we continued

said course a crash into the water was imminent. I heard the pilot say

'[the passenger's name], your knee' twice. I immediately looked down at my

left knee and witnessed the left side of the control wheel situated against the inner

aspect of the knee, but not appearing obstructed from movement. It never

occurred to me to look at the right knee. When I looked back up I could see

the inevitable about to happen and mentally tried to prepare myself for a

very sudden and harsh impact. ... I honestly do not know what precisely

caused the accident. I never asked the pilot if he witnessed my knee

blocking the control wheel. My awareness is always on high alert when

flying. I was wearing a pair of shorts that day and I did not sense any

'pressure or jamming' on or about either of my knees. The absence of

any bruising or abrasion on or about the knee/upper leg makes me

suspect my knees weren't the cause as well.

Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors examined the wreckage. Their examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadvertant control interference by the passenger's knee leading to the pilot's directional control of the floatplane not being possible.