Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while water taxiing. A factor contributing to the accident was wind gusts.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The commercial pilot reported that after landing the float-equipped airplane in the water, a quartering tailwind lifted the left wing, and the airplane nosed over in the harbor. He said the airplane drifted onto the rocks and damaged both wings. He reported there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 3, 2007, about 1215 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 MK1 airplane, N4756T, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over at Little Eagle Harbor, about 21 miles southwest of Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Seahawk Air, Kodiak, as a visual flight rules (VFR) passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The commercial certificated pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight departed Kodiak Seaplane Base, Kodiak, about 1200. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on September 5, the pilot reported that after landing, a quartering tailwind lifted the left wing, and the airplane nosed over in the harbor. He said the airplane drifted onto the rocks and damaged both wings. He reported there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane was not examined by the NTSB. An NTSB form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was not completed as requested.