NTSB Factual Report

On July 19, 2003, approximately 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Canadian registered Cessna 185, C-FHMY, registered to a private individual and being flown by a German certificated private pilot, sustained substantial damage after a loss of control while taxiing for takeoff at a private grass strip on Sinclair Island, Washington. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and was originating from the private strip at the time of the accident.

In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that as he was taxiing for takeoff on a crowned grass airstrip which was bordered on both sides by ditches, the airplane started going sideways. The pilot stated that "somehow" he got the wheel off the strip and into the bordering ditch. The aircraft subsequently "clipped" a fence, rotated 90 degrees to the right, and came to rest in a upright position in an adjacent pasture.

An FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported substantial damage to the underside of the right elevator, the left elevator and stabilizer, the right aileron, and the right outboard underwing area.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing for takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the ditch and the fence.