Cessna A185F N2904Q

Summary

On 5 August 2001 at about 20:00 local time, a Cessna A185F registered N2904Q was involved in an accident near Crane Lake, Minnesota, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 August 2001 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Crane Lake, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

Scotts Seaplane Base (CDD)

Coordinates

48.2599, -92.4799

Aircraft

Cessna A185F

Registration

N2904Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Crane Lake → Pike Lake

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI01LA258

1 person was seriously injured.

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

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The floatplane sustained substantial damage on impact with water during takeoff. 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 pilot reported, "After refueling we taxied to east end of lake ... 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." The passenger stated, "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. ... I honestly do not know what precisely caused the accident. I never asked the pilot if he witnessed my knee blocking the control wheel. ... 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." The recorded wind was 200 degrees at 5 knots. FAA examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.