# Accident 20201030018649A: Cessna 172M, Billings, MT, October 30, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 30, 2020, 20:45 local time
- Place: Billings, MT
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.8108° N, 108.5226° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8108&lon=-108.5226&mi=10
- Aircraft: N124TW, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124TW-2022-07-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172M (registry code 2072418, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR21LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA032) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201030018649A

## Narrative

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

N124TW DEPARTED SHERIDAN WYOMING WITH A DESTINATION OF THREE FORKS MONTANA. THIS WAS THE LAST LEG OF A VFR FLIGHT.

APPROXIMATELY 55-60 SOUTHWEST OF BILLINGS MONTANA THE PIC REQUESTED TO DIVERT FROM HIS DESTINATION DUE TO STRONG HEADWINDS AND IMPENDING DARKNESS.

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ONE MILE SHORT  RUNWAY 25 AT THE BILLINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. THERE WAS NO DISTRESS CALLS MADE TO ATC PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 WPR21LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA032), Oct 31, 2020: Cessna 172 (N124TW), Billings, MT, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent glide path while on final approach for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence.

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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