Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for taxi, which resulted in the airplane encountering a crevasse.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, while departing from the off-airport snow-covered glacier, he was not comfortable with the acceleration of the tailwheel-ski-equipped airplane and aborted the takeoff. He then began a back taxi and allowed the airplane to make a wide radius turn. Subsequently, during the turn the airplane dropped vertically into an unseen crevasse. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing lift struts. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.