GALBRAITH LAKE, AK, USA
N8575V
BELLANCA 8GCBC
THE PILOT SAID THAT JUST AFTER THE AIRPLANE GOT OFF THE WATER THE WIND SPEED OR DIRECTION, OR BOTH, CHANGED. THE AIRPLANE STOPPED CLIMBING, THEN HIT THE TERRAIN AT THE EDGE OF THE LAKE. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS TAKING OFF WITH A LIGHT LOAD, AND THAT HE HAD USED THAT LAKE 50 TO 60 TIMES PREVIOUSLY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOR A STEADY WIND.
On August 20, 1993, at 1800 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N8575V, collided with the terrain during an attempted takeoff from an unnamed lake about 25 miles west of Galbraith Lake, Alaska. The private pilot and one passenger were uninjured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The personal hunting flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. On August 26, 1993, when the pilot called the NTSB to report the accident, he stated the following in part: "The accident happened on August 20, 1993, but because of bad weather we were not picked up until today. That's why I'm late reporting it. The accident happened while I was trying to takeoff from a lake that I had used 50 to 60 times previously. The winds were variable at about 10 gusting to 12 knots. Just after getting off the water the wind either changed directions or speed, or both. The airplane stopped climbing then hit the terrain at the edge of the lake. The right float and attaching fittings on the fuselage were damaged, and a float strut punctured the belly of the airplane."
THE PILOTS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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