ANC03LA064

The private certificated pilot, with the airplane owner as the passenger, was maneuvering a float-equipped airplane near several boats. The occupants of the airplane said that they intended to land near the boats to inquire about fishing. The pilot reported that after flying by several boats, he attempted a landing. Upon touchdown, the airplane was "thrown back up into the air sharply." The passenger reported that the pilot was making a no-flap landing when the floats hit a submerged log. The passenger indicated that the pilot pulled the airplane upward into the air, but it then stalled, about 75 feet above the water. The airplane descended, nose down, collided with the water and then inverted. Occupants of the nearby boats came to the aid of the pilot and passenger. An FAA inspector contacted several witnesses who were occupants of the boats. One witness indicated that the accident airplane was observed to fly over other boats in the area at an altitude of 25 feet. The airplane continued at that height for about 150 yards and then suddenly pulled straight up, exceeding 90 degrees vertical. The airplane then rolled and descended to the water from about 100 feet. The witness indicated that the airplane did not touch down on the water before the sudden pull up. A second witness reported to the FAA that the accident airplane flew directly over several boats at an altitude of about 15 to 30 feet. The airplane continued to fly level for a short distance and then suddenly pitched straight up. Seconds later, the airplane stalled and descended to the water. The witness indicated that the airplane did not strike an object in the water because it never got lower than 15 to 30 feet when it buzzed the boats.

On June 29, 2003, about 0845 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N48061, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the water while maneuvering near several boats, adjacent to Bell Island, Alaska, about 34 miles north-northwest of Ketchikan, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot received serious injuries. The sole passenger/airplane owner received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Ward Cove, Ketchikan, about 0800. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 30, the passenger/owner reported that he occupied the right front seat. The airplane was flown by a friend who occupied the left front seat. The passenger said that the pilot was landing at an area known as Bell Island Narrows to inquire about fishing from nearby boats. As the airplane touched down, the floats struck an unseen object. The passenger speculated that the airplane struck a floating log. The passenger indicated that the pilot pulled the airplane upward into the air, but it then stalled, about 75 feet above the water. The airplane descended, nose down, collided with the water and then inverted. Occupants of the nearby boats came to the aid of the pilot and passenger. The airplane received damage to the floats, fuselage and wings.

In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, the pilot reported that after flying by several boats, he attempted a landing. Upon touchdown, the airplane was "thrown back up into the air sharply."

In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the passenger, the passenger reported that the pilot was making a no-flap landing when the floats hit a submerged log.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Juneau Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), Juneau, Alaska, contacted several witnesses who were occupants of the boats. One witness indicated that the accident airplane was observed to fly over other boats in the area at an altitude of 25 feet. The airplane continued at that height for about 150 yards and then suddenly pulled straight up, exceeding 90 degrees vertical. The airplane then rolled and descended to the water from about 100 feet. The witness indicated that the airplane did not touch down on the water before the sudden pull up.

A second witness reported to the FAA that the accident airplane flew directly over several boats at an altitude of about 15 to 30 feet. The airplane continued to fly level for a short distance and then suddenly pitched straight up. Seconds later, the airplane stalled and descended to the water. The witness indicated that the airplane did not strike an object in the water because it never got lower than 15 to 30 feet when it buzzed the boats.