On February 23, 1997, about 1530 Alaska standard time, a wheel/ski equipped Cessna 185F, N93189, crashed during takeoff from a remote lake, about 41 miles east of Delta Junction, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on February 24, 1997, at 1410, the pilot reported he landed on the frozen surface of Sand Lake to inspect property. During the takeoff run in a southerly direction, the airplane encountered strong gusty winds from the east. The airplane began to slide sideways to the right and the right main gear separated from the fuselage at the upper gear attach point. The right wing and propeller struck the ice. The closest official weather observation station is Allen Army Airfield, Delta Junction, Alaska. On February 23, 1997, at 1551, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 150 degrees (true) at 12 knots, gusts to 24 knots; visibility, 35 statute miles; clouds, few at 6,500 feet, 10,000 feet scattered, 18,000 feet overcast; temperature, 44 degrees F; dew point, 25 degrees F; altimeter, 29.58 inHg. At 1552, a METAR from Northway, Alaska, located 80 nautical miles east of the accident site was reporting in part: Wind, variable at 4 knots; visibility, 50 statute miles; clouds, 7,000 feet broken, 12,000 feet overcast; temperature, 22 degrees F; dew point, 19 degrees F; altimeter, 29.70 inHg.