On August 6, 2003, about 0700 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N185TB, sustained substantial damage when it struck the shoreline of a remote lake during takeoff, about 35 miles south of Iliamna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the accident lake about 0655 and was en route to another remote lake. No flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 6, the pilot reported that while departing to the east, during the initial climb, the airplane's right float struck the shoreline of the lake. The airplane subsequently nosed over on the bank of the lake, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. According to the pilot there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.