TOGIAK, AK, USA
N93HU
AVIAT A-1
The certificated commercial pilot was conducting flight operations in support of fish spotting activities and was departing a remote beach at gross weight. The pilot reported that frost was present on the wings of the airplane and he began a short field takeoff. The airplane lifted off sluggishly and then began to settle toward the ground that was sloping toward the ocean. At full power, the airplane touched down momentarily and then climbed into the air. The airplane skipped off the water about three times and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane settled into the water and stopped in a nose down attitude.
On May 2, 1996, about 0830 Alaska daylight time, an Aviat Inc., A-1, Christian Husky, N93HU, crashed during takeoff from a remote beach area, about 4 miles southwest of Togiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) business flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, reported that the airplane was being operated in support of fish spotting activities near the Quigmy River. In the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Report submitted by the pilot, he indicated that he was departing at gross weight. The pilot reported that frost was present on the wings of the airplane as he began a short field takeoff. The airplane lifted off sluggishly and then began to settle toward ground that was sloping toward the ocean. At full power, the airplane touched down momentarily and then climbed into the air. The airplane skipped off the water about three times and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane settled into the water and stopped in a nose down attitude.
The pilot's failure to remove frost from the surface of the wings and his delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors in the accident were the presence of frost on the wings and a deteriorated climb performance.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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