What happened
A pilot operating a float-equipped airplane took off from a lake located approximately 7 miles from a lodge. The flight was intended to reach an unnamed float pond to retrieve a guide and various camp equipment. After the aircraft failed to return as scheduled, a co-worker reported it missing.
The wreckage was discovered about 10 miles from the lodge, in the vicinity of the lake where the flight had originated. The aircraft was carrying the pilot, a guide, and camp equipment at the time of the accident. The impact resulted in 1 fatal injury to the guide and serious injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The accident site was situated on a rolling, tundra-covered coastal plain characterized by an absence of trees and brush no taller than 18 inches. Physical examination of the wreckage showed the wings were bent symmetrically downward from the fuselage centerline and were touching the ground. The tail section was bent 20 to 30 degrees to the left aft of the cabin, though the horizontal stabilizer remained undamaged and parallel to the ground.
The floats had been displaced aft by approximately 24 inches and spread apart, having impacted the bottom of the wings. While the leading edges of both wings remained straight with minimal damage, the propeller blades showed chord-wise scratching and leading edge gouging. There were no ground scars suggesting forward motion, and minimal dirt spray was found in front of the aircraft.
Mechanical inspection of the engine revealed that the sparkplugs were clean and dry, and the exhaust manifolds exhibited creases and bending without cracking. At the time of discovery, the throttle was set to full forward, the mixture was full rich, carburetor heat was cold, and the engine primer was in the locked position. Fuel was present in both wing tanks, the header tank, and the gascolator. The magneto selector was set to both. Additionally, the flaps were mechanically captured in the extended position, and the elevator trim was set to a forward, nose-down position.
Findings
Post-accident inspection of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies.