Incident Overview
A pilot flying to a river for fishing encountered difficulties finding a suitable landing site. Three planned landing strips were unavailable: two were covered with water, and the third had fog. The pilot then located a gravel bar in the river, estimated to be about 800 feet long, and flew several passes to assess its condition before deciding to land.
Landing and Impact
During the landing flare, the pilot realized the airplane was below the edge of the gravel bar. He added power in an attempt to clear the edge, but the airplane touched down on a 1- to 2-foot-long muddy downwash area immediately before the gravel bar. Subsequently, the left main landing gear struck the gravel bar's edge.
Damage and Findings
Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause
The source does not state a probable cause.