What happened
On August 20, 2011, a Cessna 180A, registration N26CZ, was performing a takeoff from a float pond in Igiugig, Alaska. The flight was operating under visual meteorological conditions with a visibility of 5 statute miles and winds from 000 degrees at 10 knots.
Shortly after the aircraft departed the pond, the wind conditions shifted. The pilot reported that the aircraft entered a descent that could not be arrested. The airplane traveled past the shoreline and struck the ground, resulting in a nose-over. The impact caused substantial damage to the fuselage and the wings. There were no injuries resulting from the accident.
The investigation
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical issues with the aircraft prior to the accident. The investigation noted that the takeoff was attempted during variable wind conditions.