On June 10, 1992, a Bellanca 8GCBC (registration N101TH) operated by Harvey Smith was involved in an aviation accident near Elephant Lake, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE DUAL STUDENT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a training landing with a right quartering tailwind, the floatplane veered right despite rudder inputs, skidded sideways, then the left float collapsed and the aircraft overturned and sank.
Incident Overview
An instructional flight ended with a seaplane capsizing after the left float collapsed during landing. The airplane was landing with a right quartering tailwind, and the instructor had instructed the non-seaplane-rated pilot to hold the right wing down into the wind.
Sequence of Events
Upon touchdown, the airplane began to veer to the right. The dual student applied left rudder, but the airplane continued veering right. The student then applied full left rudder. The airplane started to skid sideways. Subsequently, the left float collapsed, and the airplane rolled over to the left and sank.