Accident Overview
On August 12, 2019, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, registration N91402, impacted the southeastern shoreline of Gull Island during takeoff from the Lake Hood Seaplane Base (LHD) in Anchorage, Alaska. The airline transport pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a visual flight rules personal flight.
Flight Details
Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Lake Hood Seaplane Base at about 1830. The Lake Hood Seaplane Base consists of two smaller lakes: Lake Hood to the west and Lake Spenard to the east, connected by a canal. A small landmass within the canal, named Gull Island, separates a water lane to the south and a taxi lane to the north. Aircraft taking off and landing use the southern water lane.
Pilot Account
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 stated 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.
Additional Comments
The pilot added that he believed if the floatplane had not been so heavily loaded, the floats "might" have successfully cleared the island. He reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, fuselage, and both wings.