What happened
The pilot attempted to initiate a takeoff from a frozen river that presented significant surface irregularities. The terrain was described as both rough and uneven, conditions that are inherently challenging for ski-equipped aircraft operations. The takeoff run was conducted directly into the wind, which was blowing at 20 knots with gusts reaching up to 35 knots.
As the aircraft accelerated along the frozen surface, it reached an airspeed of approximately 35 knots. At this critical phase of flight, a sudden gust of wind interacted with the unstable ground conditions. The combination of the aerodynamic force from the wind gust and the vertical displacement caused by the aircraft bouncing over the uneven ice resulted in a loss of lateral stability.
The aircraft tipped to one side, causing the wing to strike the surface. This impact initiated a violent cartwheel motion, leading to substantial structural damage. The event highlights the dangers of attempting takeoffs from unprepared frozen surfaces under high wind conditions.