Incident Details
The aircraft was operated by a mountain flying service delivering climbers and their equipment to a glacier base camp, under Title 14, CFR Part 135 regulations. The commercial certificated pilot reported that during the landing roll on the glacier, while turning to the left, the right ski became loaded with snow. This caused the ski attachment to the right main landing gear to break, and the landing gear leg subsequently dug into the snow surface. The aircraft then nosed down, and the right wing struck the glacier surface, resulting in damage to the wing and aileron.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that an examination of the landing gear revealed that the ski attaching bolts had sheared. He further noted that he had made several trips to the glacier that day, and that there were no problems with the aircraft or the landing gear prior to the accident. No other causal factors were mentioned, and the sequence of events was limited to the pilot's description of the snow loading on the ski and subsequent mechanical failure.
Damage
The damage consisted of structural impact to the right wing and aileron due to contact with the glacier surface. No other damage was detailed in the report. The aircraft was not described as substantially damaged beyond the wing and aileron, and no injuries were reported among the occupants or others involved.