What happened
The private certificated pilot was conducting a landing operation on a gravel bar situated along a river. During the final approach phase, the pilot reported that the main landing gear tires made contact with the surface of shallow water located at the edge of the gravel bar. This interaction caused the airplane to pitch forward, resulting in a nose-down attitude.
The investigation
Post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the aircraft structure. The propeller sustained impact damage, as did both wings. Additionally, the left wing lift strut was damaged during the incident.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the contact with shallow water at the edge of the landing area, which led to the loss of directional control and the subsequent nose-over. The pilot's decision to land on a gravel bar with potential water hazards at its edges played a critical role in the outcome.