What happened
On June 1, 2018, a De Havilland Beaver DHC 2, registration N203KL, was performing an approach to an ocean bay near Ketchikan, Alaska. The pilot reported that the aircraft encountered very light turbulence during the approach. While the initial touchdown was normal, the pilot then experienced a strong wind hitting the tail from the left, which lifted the tail of the aircraft.
Following this wind gust, the front of the right float submerged. The pilot attempted to respond by pulling back and left on the controls, but the aircraft did not respond to the inputs. The right float struts subsequently collapsed, causing the right wing to impact the water. The aircraft then spun between 90° and 120° to the right, leading to the left wing impacting the water. The aircraft eventually came to rest upright on its floats. There were 6 minor injuries and 0 fatalities.
The investigation
An automated weather observation system located approximately 20 nautical miles from the accident site reported winds from 160° at 9 knots at the time of the event. The pilot had landed to the south under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 6 statute miles. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident that would have prevented normal operation. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to both wings.