Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot in command selected unsuitable terrain for landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that while attempting to land on a relatively flat unobstructed area near igiugig, alaska, the nose wheel sank into the soft sand resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 3, 1993, at 1700 Alaska daylight time (ADT), a wheel equipped Cessna 206, N756HL, owned and operated by Six Mile Air, Inc., collided with the terrain during a landing near Igiugig, Alaska. The commercial pilot and one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated by Six Mile Air, Inc. as a positioning flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Iliamna, Alaska, at approximately 1645 ADT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot told the NTSB investigator in charge that he attempted to land on a relatively flat unobstructed area near Igiugig to use the restroom. During the landing, the nose wheel sank into the soft sand. The plane proceeded to go up onto its propeller and the outboard right wing. -