Incident Overview
A pilot operating a ski-equipped airplane landed in a remote area with the intention of transporting an injured person and another passenger to an airport. After landing, the pilot began taxiing across a frozen and snow-covered river to initiate the takeoff roll. During the taxi, the right ski broke through a layer of soft ice. To exit the hole, the pilot applied engine power. This action resulted in the right main landing gear failing at the fuselage attach point.
Sequence of Events
The pilot had landed the ski-equipped airplane in a remote location to pick up an injured individual and an accompanying passenger. Following the landing, the pilot proceeded to taxi across a frozen river that was covered with snow. The surface ice was not uniformly solid; a section of soft ice was present. As the aircraft taxied, the right ski penetrated this soft ice, causing the aircraft to become stuck. In an attempt to free the aircraft, the pilot increased engine power. The application of power caused structural stress that led to the failure of the right main landing gear at its attachment point to the fuselage.
Damage
The incident resulted in the failure of the right main landing gear. No other damage is specified in the source.
Occupants and Injuries
The source does not provide information on the number of occupants or any injuries. It notes that the pilot planned to transport an injured person and another passenger, but it does not state whether these individuals were on board at the time of the incident or their condition.
Contributing Factors
The source does not explicitly state any contributing factors or causal relationships. It describes the sequence of events but offers no analysis or conclusions beyond the factual recounting.