Accident Overview
On May 7, 2011, at 1230 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, registration N195T, was substantially damaged during a landing attempt on Tin Can Island in the Island Lake Reservoir, near Fredenberg Township, Minnesota. The aircraft was operated by the private pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 for a personal flight. The flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip in Duluth, Minnesota, around 1200. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and passenger were not injured.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that he was attempting a landing on a sandbar located on the west side of the island, approaching from the south. He noted that the airplane was equipped with oversized tundra tires and that he had previously performed the same landing in this aircraft. During the landing approach, a left crosswind of 6–8 knots was present. As the airplane descended below treetop level, the crosswind component diminished, and the aircraft began drifting left of the intended landing path. Shortly after touchdown, the left wingtip collided with shrubs and trees, causing the airplane to veer away from the sandbar and into a marsh area. The right main landing gear then sank into the soft terrain, and the right wing impacted the ground. A postaccident inspection revealed substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage structure. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Weather Information
The nearest aviation weather observation station with recorded historical weather was Duluth International Airport (KDLH), approximately 12.5 miles south of the accident site, which was equipped with an automated surface observing system (ASOS). At 1255, the KDLH ASOS reported wind from 100 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 10 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet above ground level, temperature 13 degrees Celsius, dew point 3 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of mercury.