What happened
A pilot was attempting a takeoff down-slope from a remote mountain glacier airstrip for the purpose of an air taxi sightseeing flight. The runway surface consisted of fresh, wet snow, which resulted in slow acceleration for the wheel ski-equipped airplane. Due to this sluggish performance and low airspeed, the pilot elected to abort the takeoff.
Following the aborted takeoff, the pilot initiated a left turn intended to return to the top of the airstrip for a subsequent takeoff attempt. During this maneuver, the right main landing gear wheel ski encountered a soft spot or sinkhole in the snow, causing it to sink deeper into the surface. This sudden sinking caused the aircraft to nose over. The aircraft sustained structural damage to the fuselage and the right wing; there were no injuries reported.
An eyewitness, a national park ranger who flew to the scene, observed that the airplane's tailwheel-ski appeared not to have touched down before the left turn was initiated. According to the witness, the established procedure for an aborted takeoff on this glacier involves coming to a complete stop while traveling straight, deplaning passengers, and then making an up-slope turn to taxi back for another attempt.