On April 13, 2000, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N2790C, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote site, about 15 miles northwest of Igiugig, Alaska, at latitude 59 degrees, 32 minutes north, and longitude 156 degrees, 10 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 0800, at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on April 14, the pilot reported that he was attempting a southeasterly departure from an 800 feet long sand bar. He stated that the takeoff run required a correction for a strong left crosswind. During the takeoff run, as the airplane became airborne, a strong gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right, and over an area of soft snow. He said that when the wind decreased, the airplane's main wheels contacted the soft snow, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported wind conditions at the time of the accident to be from the east at 20 knots, with peak gusts to 40 knots.