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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 12, 2019 · Cessna 180 H · N91402

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180 H (1969)
Tail Number
N91402
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC19TA044

The airline transport pilot was taking off from a seaplane base. Once the airplane was on step during the takeoff run to the west, the sun was in the pilot’s line of sight and he was unable to distinguish the lake’s southern water channel or see a small island in the water lane because the glare was too bright. Subsequently, the airplane struck the southeastern side of the island, nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain takeoff heading due to sun glare, which resulted in his inability to see an island adjacent to the water lane and subequent impact with the island.

Full Narrative

On August 12, 2019, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N91402, impacted the southeastern shoreline of Gull Island during takeoff from the Lake Hood Seaplane Base (LHD) Anchorage, Alaska. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a visual flight rules personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from LHD, about 1830. The Lake Hood Seaplane base is comprised of two smaller lakes; Lake Hood to the west and Lake Spenard to the east, and the two lakes are connected by means of a canal. A small landmass situated within the canal, known as Gull Island, separates a water lane to the south, and a taxi lane to the north. Airplanes taking off and landing use the southern water lane. According to the pilot, during the takeoff run to the west from Lake Spenard, once the airplane was on step, the sun was in his line of sight. He added that, the glare was too bright, and he was unable to distinguish the southerly water channel or see Gull Island. Subsequently, the airplane struck the southeastern side of the island, nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage, and both wings. The pilot added that, he believed that if the floatplane had not been so heavily loaded, the floats "might" have successfully cleared the island. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportLAKEHOOD (1nm SSE)
RunwayW
Runway Length4541 ft
Runway Width188 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180 H
Tail NumberN91402
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 84 · Basc · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter0
Observation Time01:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data