On June 8, 1998 about 1100 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 188B airplane, N9247G, sustained substantial damage while taxiing at a remote airstrip, about 45 miles northwest of Talkeetna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) business flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Willow Airport, Willow, Alaska, about 1030. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 8, the pilot reported that he had unloaded his cargo of fuel oil, and was preparing to depart. While back taxiing to the west prior to departure, the airplane's left main wheel hit a hole in the center of the airstrip. The airplane's tail veered to the right, and the left main gear leg collapsed. The left wing struck the runway and sustained substantial damage. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.