# Accident 19961204037099A: Cessna 172M, Bethel, AK, December 4, 1996

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 4, 1996, 09:54 local time
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Airport: Bethel
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: HYQA
- Location: 60.8096° N, 161.8494° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8096&lon=-161.8494&mi=10
- Aircraft: N20024, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20024-1998-06-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172M (registry code 2072418, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Reported engine: LYC O320E2D
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,200 total, 400 in this make and model, 170 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC97LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA010) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961204037099A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PREMATURE TAKEOFF IN QUARTERING TAILWIND. FAILED TO CLIMB. SETTLED INTO SNOW COVERED TUNDRA. DAMAGED WING AND GEAR.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC97LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA010), Dec 4, 1996: Cessna 172M (N20024), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper planning/decision, and resultant failure to obtain/maintain sufficient airspeed during takeoff. A factor related the accident was: taking off with a tailwind.

## Other reports on N20024 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19911003044619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911003044619A), Oct 3, 1991: Cessna 172M (N20024), Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. Loud pop. Engine quit. Nosed over landing on tundra. Crankshaft gear was stripped and torn out. 927HRS since tbo.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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