What happened
The commercial pilot was transporting three passengers on a fishing expedition to a remote stream located in southwest Alaska. Upon arriving at the destination, the pilot attempted to land the aircraft on a beach area situated near the stream. During the landing roll, the airplane overturned.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing and the condition of the aircraft's equipment. The airplane was equipped with large 'tundra' tires, which are designed for soft surface operations. The pilot stated that these tires adversely affected the aircraft's directional control during the landing roll, contributing to the accident.
Findings
The primary factors identified in this incident include the challenging terrain of a remote beach landing site and the handling characteristics of the specialized tire equipment under those specific conditions. The pilot's assessment indicates that the large tires reduced the ability to maintain proper directional control while on the ground.