Incident Overview
A pilot was conducting practice approaches to an unimproved airstrip on Fremont Island, located in the Great Salt Lake approximately 20 miles west of Ogden, Utah. During the approach, one of the main wheels inadvertently touched down on soft sand, causing the pilot to lose control of the airplane.
Sequence of Events
While attempting to recover from the loss of control, the propeller struck either a rock or the ground. The pilot reported that the airplane subsequently lost flying speed and collided with water. The aircraft came to rest submerged about 50 yards offshore.
Location Details
Fremont Island is a remote, undeveloped island in the Great Salt Lake. The airstrip mentioned is unimproved, consisting of natural terrain. The incident occurred near the shoreline, where the water depth was sufficient to submerge the aircraft.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that the main wheel touching down in soft sand initiated the loss of control. No other details about the pilot's condition or the aircraft's configuration were provided in the source material.