19990720009879A

Acft flipped over on lake. 21 miles e of Igiugig, AK. (.19)on July 20, 1999, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped, Helio H-395 airplane, N4198D, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from kukaklek lake, about 18 miles southeast of Igiugig, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated under 14 CFR part 91 by branham adventures limited partnership of anchorage, Alaska, in support of a fishing lodge. The flight was departing on a return leg to the kulik lake lodge, Alaska, after dropping off three passengers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company VFR flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (iic) on July 21, the company owner stated that the pilot attempted a takeoff with a left crosswind of about 20 knots. The pilot aborted the first takeoff, then performed a downwind water taxi prior to attempting a second takeoff. The owner stated that the pilot left the flaps extended halfway, and commenced a second takeoff. The left float came off the water, and the lift wing lifted. The owner indicated the pilot applied power to continue the takeoff, the right float dug into th water, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage. During a personal interview between the pilot and the iic on July 22, the pilot said that the wind was about 25 knots, and stronger in the center of the lake. He attempted a takeoff with a left crosswind, and aborted. He then taxied downwind, intending to takeoff into the wind. During the taxi, the pilot did not retract the flaps from the 1/2 position. As he began to turn left, into the wind, the wind lifted the left wing. The pilot said that he had full aileron deflected into the wind, and added power to attempt to bring the airplane's nose into the wind, and takeoff. He described the right float digging in, and the airplane nosing over. (.4) the pilot attempted to takeoff from a lake, with a 25 knot left crosswind. The first attempt was made close to shore, in the shelter of a bank on the lake's edge. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (iic) that the airplane's nose would not turn right, so he aborted the takeoff. He water taxied the airplane with the flaps set to the 1/2 position, farther dow nwind into the lake. He began to turn left, into the wind, and the wind lifted the left wing. The pilot said he added power, the right float dug into the water, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot indicated he was late, in a hurry, and should not have taxied in high winds with the flaps extended.(-23) on 07/20/99 a float equipped H-395 registered to chris branham and piloted by rocky underwood was involved in a takeoff accident at kukaklek lake, AK. According to the pilot it was windy and he attempted a takeoff in the lake shore. He stated that he was unable to steer right so he aborted. On the second attempt he realized the flaps were down and tried to "snap" the aircraft from crosswind into the wind the down wind float sunk and nosed over.