# Accident 20080115010999A: Cessna 208B, Bethel, AK, January 15, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 15, 2008, 14:35 local time
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Airport: Bethel
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Level Off Touchdown
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: ENHA
- Location: 60.7797° N, 161.8381° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7797&lon=-161.8381&mi=10
- Aircraft: N454SF, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N454SF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 208B (registry code 2073701, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A series (registry code 52032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208B
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 9,400 total, 850 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC08LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA031) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080115010999A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT LANDED AT THE BETHEL, ALASKA AIRPORT BETWEEN RUNWAY 18 AND THE TAXIWAY. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE TUNDRA COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR, COMING TO REST ON TAXIWAY DELTA. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER, CARGO POD, NOSE GEAR AND SOME DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL. AT THE TIME THERE WAS A WIND FROM 140 DEGREES AT 23 KNOTS CAUSING VERY LOW LEVEL BLOWING SNOW OBSCURATION. THE PILOT IN COMMAND MISTOOK THE DARK COLOR OF THE TUNDRA TO BE THE DARK COLOR OF THE RUNWAY AND ESTABLISHED HIS FINAL DESCENT TO LAND ON THE TUNDRA, WHICH INDEED HAPPENED.

## 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 ANC08LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA031), Jan 15, 2008: Cessna 208B (N454SF), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Contributing to the accident were snow-covered terrain, blowing snow and flat lighting conditions.

## Other reports on N454SF (3)

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

- [Accident 20200204002009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200204002009A), Feb 4, 2020: Cessna 208B (N454SF), Hooper Bay, AK, Substantial damage. During the interview, the pilot stated that he attempted a take-off in 3 or more inches of wet heavy snow. During the take-off roll he stated that he was not…
- [Accident 20051213030319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051213030319A), Dec 13, 2005: Cessna 208B (N454SF), Newtok, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On 12/13/05 aircraft N454SF, operated by grant aviation inc. and piloted by [privacy data omitted] drifted off the runway at Newtok, Alaska during the…
- [Accident 20020224015219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020224015219A), Feb 24, 2002: Cessna 208B (N454SF), Tununak, AK, No damage. (-23) The taxi ways could not be plowed causing the pilot to taxi the aircraft onto a snow berm at west edge of the runway, coming to a complete stop, the…

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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