On July 26, 2001, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N85CG, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote airstrip located about 45 miles east of Yakutat, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Gulf Air Taxi, Inc., Yakutat. The solo certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company VFR flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the accident airstrip about 1525. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 6, the pilot reported that the he was returning to Yakutat after dropping off his passengers at the remote airstrip. The pilot said that while departing to the south, just before lift-off, the right wing struck a stand of trees. The airplane pivoted to the right and continued off the right side of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage.