What happened
A Piper PA-18-150 equipped with floats and a Cessna 185F also fitted with floats were engaged in fish spotting operations over Larson Bay, Alaska. Both aircraft were operating at an approximate altitude of 800 feet mean sea level (MSL) when they became involved in a midair collision.
At the time of the incident, both pilots were working to locate fish for several fishing boats in the vicinity. The two aircraft were initially flying parallel to one another, with the Piper positioned slightly lower than the Cessna. According to the pilot of the Cessna, he spotted the Piper below him just as the Piper began a left turn.
In response, the Cessna pilot executed a right turn and pulled up to avoid the other aircraft. However, his left float made contact with the outboard end of the Piper's right wing. The Cessna pilot reported that the impact did not appear severe at the moment of contact. He observed minimal damage on the Piper, limited to the tip of the right wing.
Despite the seemingly minor nature of the collision from the Cessna pilot's perspective, the Piper lost control and entered a left spiral toward the water. The Piper PA-18-150 was destroyed upon impact with the surface. The pilot of the Piper was fatally injured. The Cessna 185F sustained no structural damage, and its pilot was not injured.
Following the incident, the Cessna pilot expressed concern regarding communication protocols in such operations. He suggested that fishing boats should warn pilots on a common radio frequency when multiple aircraft are operating in close proximity to help prevent future collisions.