CESSNA 180

Full Narrative

On October 4, 2024, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4631U, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Big Lake, Alaska. The pilot was fatally injured, and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight.
According to the passenger, the airplane was departing from East Butterfly Lake, near Big Lake for a return flight to the Lake Hood Seaplane Base (LHD), Anchorage, Alaska. The passenger reported that just before starting their northerly takeoff run, strong, gusty, variable wind conditions prevailed.
During takeoff from the lake, as the airplane passed low over an area of tree-covered terrain, a sudden gust of wind pushed the airplane towards the trees. The airplane’s right wing subsequently collided with a stand of tall trees, and the airplane came to rest inverted in the lake, partially submerged (See figure 1).

Figure 1. Accident airplane, N4631U, at the accident site. (Alaska State Trooper Photo)
A detailed wreckage examination is pending after the airplane is recovered from the waters of East Butterfly Lake.