On August 2, 1996, about 1349 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 185 airplane, N20752, owned and operated by Cape Smythe Air Service, sustained substantial damage while landing at Point Franklin, located about 25 miles northeast of Wainwright, Alaska. The solo airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 135 cargo flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. The flight originated at Barrow, Alaska, about 1300. According to a written statement issued by the pilot, she said she was landing on hard sand in light and variable wind conditions. The airplane bounced on landing, and touched down again in a tail low attitude. She then applied the brakes because she was concerned about the water in front of her. The tail of the airplane rose, and the airplane nosed over onto the sandy landing surface. The Director of Operations for the operator described the landing area as a section of leveled beach situated behind sand dunes.