# Accident 20211120016929A: Cessna 207A, Bethel, AK, November 20, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 20, 2021, 18:00 local time
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: T72A
- Location: 60.7792° N, 161.8368° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7792&lon=-161.8368&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9794M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9794M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 207A (registry code 2073604, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520-F (registry code 17237, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207A
- People aboard: 6
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,480 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC22LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA007) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211120016929A

## Narrative

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

ON NOVEMBER 20, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 ALASKA TIME, CESSNA C-207A N9794M INCURRED SUBSTANCIAL DAMAGE IN A POST LANDING FIRE. ALL 5 PASSENGER INCLUDING THE PILOT EXITED SAFELY AND WERE TAKEN TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR A HEALTH CHECK DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION.

THESE EVENTS OCCURRED EN-ROUTE TO A VILLAGE 10 MILES FROM BETHEL, ALASKA. PASSENGERS BOARDED AT 1745. ON A COMPANY CFR PART 135 FLIGHT PLAN. PIC  GAVE THE EXIT BRIEFING. TAKEOFF 1750. ELT LIGHT ILLUMINATION ON PILOT PANEL (SWITCH WAS IN ARMED POSITION) AT 1755 CABIN STARTED TO FILL WITH SMOKE IN-FLIGHT. PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO BETHEL.

TO REMOVE ELECTRICAL POWER TO SYSTEMS PILOT PLACED MASTER SWITCH OFF, OPENED A VENT WINDOW TO BREATHE. PILOT MOMENTARILY TURNED MASTER POWER ON TO MAKE A MAYDAY CALL AND SHUT POWER BACK OFF. AIRCRAFT LANDED ON RUNWAY 1L IN BETHEL. PILOT REPORTED NO BRAKES OR STEERING. ROLLED TO STOP. MASTER POWER MOMENTARILY ON TO CALL THE TOWER TO REPORT ON THE RUNWAY. PILOT REPORTED SEEING A FLAME AT 4 O?CLOCK POSITION BETWEEN PILOT SEATS AS HE EXITED. AIRCRAFT WAS CONSUMED BY FLAMES. BETHEL AIRPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED FIRE.

## 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 ANC22LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA007), Nov 21, 2021: Cessna 207A (N9794M), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper installation of an avionics wire harness over a fuel line, which resulted in chafing of the wire harness, arcing, and a subsequent fire.

## Other reports on N9794M (2)

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

- [Incident 20130703015699I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130703015699I), Jul 3, 2013: Cessna 207A (N9794M), Huslia, AK, Substantial damage. Prop struck taxi light
- [Accident 20010803039639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010803039639A), Aug 3, 2001: Cessna T207A (N9794M), Denali Park, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Three aircraft departed Denali wilderness lodge on wood river east of Denali Park. One aircraft went to healy, AK, the other two were returning to 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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