# Accident 20251212018429A: Cessna 172M, Palmer, AK, December 12, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 12, 2025, 16:12 local time
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Airport: Palmer Municipal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.5889° N, 149.0864° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5889&lon=-149.0864&mi=10
- Aircraft: N20305, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20305) (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
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 74 total, 74 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC26LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA008) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251212018429A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC) WAS CONDUCTING TAKE-OFF AND LANDING TRAINING IN PREPARATION FOR A CHECK RIDE. AFTER DEPARTING FROM BIRCHWOOD AIRPORT, THE PIC MADE A ROUTINE APPROACH AND LANDING AT THE FINAL DESTINATION FOR THE DAY. DURING THE ROLLOUT PHASE AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN PULLING TO ONE SIDE, AND THE PIC WAS UNABLE TO STEER OR CORRECT ITS COURSE ON THE GROUND. REALIZING THE GROUND CONTROLS WERE INEFFECTIVE, THE PIC CUT THE MIXTURE AND BRACED FOR IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY, COLLIDED WITH AN ICE BERM, AND THE NOSE GEAR SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO OVERTURN AND COME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEELS WAS UNABLE TO ROTATE DUE TO ICE BUILDUP ON THE BRAKE CALIPER, WHICH PREVENTED EFFECTIVE STEERING ON THE GROUND.

## 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 ANC26LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA008), Dec 13, 2025: Cessna 172M (N20305), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

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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