Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. The gusty wind was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot, the sole occupant, was positioning the float equipped airplane to pick up several passengers from a remote lagoon. After landing, he was step taxiing with the flaps extended. The airplane encountered a strong quartering gust of wind on the left front, which lifted the left wing. The right wing then struck the water, damaging the leading edge of the wingtip, the upper surface of the wing, and the auxiliary fuel tank.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 28, 1996, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped deHavilland DHC-2, N94DG, crashed while taxiing after landing in Karluk Lagoon, about 67 miles west of Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Wilderness Air Inc., Kodiak, sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The operator reported that the pilot was positioning the airplane to pickup several passengers. After landing, the pilot was step taxiing with the flaps extended. The pilot indicated that a strong quartering gust of wind struck the airplane from the left front and lifted the left wing. The right wing then struck the water, damaging the leading edge of the wingtip, the upper surface of the wing, and the auxiliary fuel tank. -