N61AT

On August 11, 2001, about 1315 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Arctic Aircraft Company Inc., S-1B2 airplane, N61AT, sustained substantial damage while landing at a remote lake, about 21 miles north of Wrangell, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed from Petersburg, Alaska, to Alpine Lake, to Petersburg. The flight originated at the Lloyd Roundtree Seaplane Facility, Petersburg, about 1245.

During a telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator, on August 13, the pilot reported that he was landing toward the south at the lake. He said the approach toward the south is the only suitable approach path into the lake, and the wind was blowing from the north at 15 knots. When the airplane was on final approach, it encountered a downdraft, and began to descend below the planned approach path. The pilot turned the airplane into the wind, but he said he was unable to out-climb the downdraft. The airplane then collided with trees and rocks, and received damage to wings, fuselage, and engine.