What happened
During an approach to Atka Island, the flight crew faced challenging meteorological conditions characterized by gusty winds and potential Williwaws, which are strong, turbulent mountain winds typical of high-latitude coastal regions. The aircraft made contact with the water surface in a manner that caused significant structural failure, specifically shearing off the starboard wing and its associated float.
Following the impact, the seaplane was initially beached on the shore. However, shifting wind conditions eventually caused the vessel to sink into the water. Despite the severity of the accident and the loss of the aircraft, all eight crew members managed to escape the wreckage unhurt.
Findings
The official investigation concluded that the primary factor leading to the incident was the aircraft being caught by gusty winds during the landing phase.