Cessna 175 N6837E accident near Toklat, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of airplane control and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in variable, gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, after departing from a lake and during the initial climb, the airplane seemed to experience a loss of lift. Uncertain what was causing the loss of lift, he turned left back toward the lake. As soon as the airplane turned, a wind gust hit the tail, and he lost airplane control. Subsequently, the airplane aerodynamically stalled and then impacted the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 10 knots, gusting to 20 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA555 for the full record.