This morning, this was a very nice Cessna 185 Amphibian. This afternoon, the pilot ignored very qualified advice to takeoff on the paved runway, which was directly into the 25kt plus wind, and attempted a takeoff on the other shorter, softer grass runway, which was in a direct crosswind. It did not work.
Though the crosswind capability of the aircraft is not limiting, there comes a point where a takeoff should just not be attempted - 25 plus knots maybe? Add to that the possible affects of a STOL kit, wing extensions, and the installation of amphibious floats, each of which could reduce the crosswind capability of the aircraft. It is apparent that the conditions exceeded either the pilot's or aircraft's or both, capability.
Added to a several hundred thousand dollar cost of a destroyed aircraft, the contamination, of the ground by avgas, and the cost for a major response from the fire department. The pilot did not require medical attention, though perhaps some recurrent training on decision making!
What a waste of a fine aircraft... What a black mark on the public's view of our collective airmanship....
A reminder for us all that we are not invincable!
Pilot DAR