Incident Overview
A certificated flight instructor (CFI) stated in a written account that, while taxiing the airplane to the active runway, he maneuvered around a hangar and encountered extremely bright sunlight as the sun crested on the horizon. The glare reportedly obscured his forward view, and during the taxi, the airplane struck a fire hydrant. The impact damaged the right horizontal stabilizer.
Aircraft and Mechanical Condition
The CFI reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The aircraft otherwise operated normally during the taxi.
Environmental Factors
The accident occurred in morning conditions with the sun low on the horizon. The CFI specifically noted the brightness of the sun as a factor in the incident.
Aftermath
The damage to the right horizontal stabilizer was a direct result of the collision with the fire hydrant. No other injuries or damage were mentioned in the report.