# NTSB ANC00LA005: Cessna 172, N4762D, Bethel, AK, October 7, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 1999, 09:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK - Coordinates: 60.810173, -161.849777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8102&lon=-161.8498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47682 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47682/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA005 ## Probable cause The failure of the driver of the forklift to maintain an adequate visual outlook. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - object - vehicle (contributing factor) - visual lookout - not maintained, driver of vehicle (cause) ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot, with three passengers aboard, was taxiing to the operator's facility at the conclusion of an on-demand air taxi flight. The pilot said that a forklift was unloading cargo on the ramp area adjacent to the airplane's intended parking area. As the airplane neared the parking area, the forklift struck the outboard end of the left wing of the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the outboard portion of the leading edge, including several wing ribs. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 1999, about 0940 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N4762D, sustained substantial damage after being struck by a forklift at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was taxiing to the operator's facility after landing. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Village Aviation, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. The certificated commercial pilot, and the three passengers aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was in effect. The flight originated at the Atmautluak Airstrip, Atmautluak, Alaska, about 0918. The pilot submitted a written report to the NTSB dated October 7. In his written report, the pilot indicated that he had landed and was taxiing to the parking area. He related that a forklift was unloading cargo on the ramp area adjacent to the airplane's intended parking area. As the airplane neared the parking area, the forklift struck the outboard end of the left wing of the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the outboard portion of the leading edge, including several wing ribs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4762D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4762D-2016-09-12), registration cancelled 2016-09-12, S/N 17272353, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 724736 - Airframe hours: 2809 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Village Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1999, 16 hours before - Departed: 08AK, ATMAUTLUAK, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BET, Bethel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,020 total, 640 in this make and model, 1,935 as pilot in command, 232 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19991007028439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991007028439A), Oct 7, 1999: Cessna 172, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 7, 1999, about 0940 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equiped Cessna 172 airplane, N4762D, sustained substantial damage after being struck by a… ## Other investigations on N4762D (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 ANC00FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00FA076), Jun 23, 2000: Cessna 172N (N4762D), Tuntutuliak, AK, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's disregard of the existing wind conditions, and an inadvertent stall. Factors associated with the accident are a tailwind, and wind gusts. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.