What happened
During an on-demand air taxi operation, the pilot was maneuvering an amphibious float-equipped airplane for a landing near a cabin situated on the edge of a coastal bay. At the time of the approach, winds between 10 and 15 knots were blowing from the bay toward the land. To manage the approach, the pilot elected to fly over land rather than over the water.
As the aircraft descended through a small creek bed positioned next to a hill, it encountered a sudden downdraft that caused a rapid loss of altitude. During this descent, the left wing struck a group of alder trees, which caused the aircraft to spin 180 degrees. The impact resulted in the right wing and the float assembly being stripped from the airframe.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered a localized downdraft while flying over a creek bed.
- Wind conditions at the nearest official weather station, located 30 miles from the site, were reported as calm, suggesting the 10 to 15 knot winds were localized to the area.
- The collision with vegetation caused significant structural failure, specifically the loss of the right wing and float assembly.