What happened
A commercial certificated pilot was operating a tundra tire-equipped airplane to transport a hunting client to a remote camp. The intended landing area, located within a creek drainage surrounded by mountains, consisted of a tundra strip approximately 6/00 feet long and 50 feet wide. The pilot had successfully utilized this specific site for previous landings.
While performing the landing toward the south, the aircraft was approximately 3 feet above the surface when a sudden wind gust from the west, measured between 20 and 30 knots, impacted the plane. This gust pushed the aircraft into several willow trees. The aircraft subsequently came to rest in an inverted position.
The investigation
The aircraft sustained damage to its wings, fuselage, and empennage. Prior to the encounter with the wind gust, the pilot reported that weather conditions had been light and variable.