Accident Details
The pilot of a commercial certificated pilot was landing a tundra tire-equipped airplane at a remote site. The purpose of the flight was to transport a hunting client to a camp. The landing area, which the pilot had used previously, was a tundra strip about 600 feet long and 50 feet wide, located in a creek drainage surrounded by mountains.
Landing Sequence
According to the pilot, as the airplane was landing toward the south and was approximately 3 feet above touchdown, a gust of wind from the west estimated at 20 to 30 knots struck the aircraft. The gust blew the airplane into several willow trees. The airplane subsequently came to rest inverted.
Damage
The accident resulted in damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage of the airplane. The pilot reported that prior to the landing, wind conditions had been light and variable.
Wind Conditions
The pilot indicated that the wind conditions had previously been light and variable before the gust occurred. The sudden gust from the west caused the airplane to deviate from its intended landing path into the trees.