Overview
A pilot reported an accident while attempting to land a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel bar adjacent to a river. The landing was intended for an unspecified location, with wind conditions described as 20 knots gusting to 25 knots.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, the initial touchdown on the gravel bar was uneventful. However, during the landing roll, a wind gust lifted the left wing. The pilot attempted to counteract the gust by applying left aileron, but he was unable to fully displace the aileron control to the left. He then tried to abort the landing, but could not get the left wing down. The airplane continued off the end of the gravel bar and entered the river, nosing down upon contact with the water.
Contributing Factor Identified by the Pilot
The pilot indicated that the inability to fully deflect the control stick to the left was due to the flap handle being in the flaps down position. This positioning kept his left leg from moving to the left, which in turn blocked the control stick from achieving full left travel when it contacted his leg.
Conclusion
The accident resulted from the pilot's inability to fully deflect the aileron to counteract a wind gust during landing. The flap handle in the down position interfered with the pilot's leg movement, restricting control stick travel.