19980606012549A

Landing on a beach in crosswind. Lost directional control due soft sand. Veered into ocean on go around nosed over. (.4)the certificated private pilot was landing to the south on a remote beach adjacent to bistol bay. The pilot reported that wind conditions at the time of the accident were about 090 degrees at 15 knots, with peak gusts to 20 knots. Tthe pilot stated that as the airplane touched down, it veered to the right. He said he attempted to abort the landing by applying full power and full left aileron. The airplane became airborne, veered to the right over the tidal surf, and collided with large wave. The airplane sank, and the four occupants swam about 50 yards to shore. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. (-23) on June 6, 1998, at approximately 1245 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N8092B, sustained substantial damage while landing on the beach approximately 20 miles south of south naknek, Alaska. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operating under visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan under 14 CFR pa rt 91. During an interview, the pilot stated that he was attempting to land on the beach with a crosswind from the left and the surf to the right. He stated that on touchdown, the right main gear encountered soft sand and started to drag the aircraft to the right, toward the water. The pilot tried to takeoff, the aircraft veered to the right, hit the surf and pitched forward, inverted. The pilot said the winds were approximately 090 degrees at 15 to 20 knots. The pilot also stated that he had landed at the beach 5 or 6 times prior to this date.