On August 17, 1995, about 2200 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 206, N756YJ, crashed while taxiing for takeoff on the Beluga River, about 32 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot and 2 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that at the conclusion of fishing, he was performing a step taxi in preparation for takeoff. Due to low light conditions and shadows, the pilot did not see a small sandbar. The floats of the airplane struck the sandbar and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the wings, tail cone, and the vertical and horizontal stabilizers.