N9964Q

On October 8, 1999, about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135 on floats, N9964Q, was substantially damaged while step-taxing after landing on a remote body of water in the Adirondack Mountains near Hoffmeister, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight that departed Forestport, New York. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR part 91.

According to the pilot, he was trapping otters for a relocation program, and need to check his traps daily. On the day of the accident he departed a public lake near Forestport, New York, and flew to a series of remote locations, with the accident occurring at the last one. The approach and landing to the accident location were normal, but while step-taxing, the airplane encountered a gust of wind, and the pilot "lost control." The airplane yawed right towards the wind, and the left wingtip impacted the water. At the completion of the accident sequence, the airplane was upright, and on shore. The pilot exited the airplane uninjured, and then hiked 20 miles back to civilization.

The pilot added that the winds were southwest at 10 mph gusting to 20 mph, and that he had landed there 25 to 30 times before.

A review of topographical maps for the area indicated the body of water was approximately 1,000 feet long and 60 feet wide.