N736

On June 4, 1997, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna U206F airplane, N736, operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage while landing at Kagankaguti Lake, located about 16 miles southeast of Chevak, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot and the two passengers aboard were not injured. The local flight departed Kagankaguti Lake about 0930. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions, and a VFR flight plan was filed.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on June 6, the pilot related he and two passengers, all employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, had left their base camp at Kagankaguti Lake in the accident airplane to conduct an aerial survey of wildlife. After the survey was completed, the flight returned to the base camp. The pilot said he misread the wind, and thought he was landing into the wind, but he actually landed to the southwest with a 10 to 15 knot tailwind. He said he was unable to stop or turn the airplane prior to impacting the beach. The airplane ran up on the beach, struck small trees, and continued inland about 50 feet.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.