Incident Details
An aircraft was taxiing for takeoff on the frozen Porcupine River in rural Alaska when its right main landing gear broke through the ice. This allowed the right wing to strike the ice surface. The pilot reported that he had landed on the river near the Porcupine Lodge at a site that had been designated by the lodge operator as a landing site. He experienced no problems during the landing and assumed the ice was thick enough to support the weight of his airplane. As the aircraft taxied downstream for takeoff, the right main landing gear tire and ski broke through the ice into approximately four feet of water.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that the landing was completed without incident on a section of the frozen Porcupine River that had been designated as a landing site by the Porcupine Lodge operator. Based on the successful landing, he believed the ice was sufficiently thick to bear the weight of the aircraft. However, during the subsequent taxi for takeoff, the ice failed beneath the right main landing gear, causing the tire and ski to submerge in about four feet of water. This caused the right wing to contact the ice.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft initially landed on the ice without any issues. Afterwards, while taxiing downstream in preparation for departure, the right main landing gear broke through the ice. The right wing struck the ice as a result. The gear, including both tire and ski, entered the water to a depth of approximately four feet.