# NTSB ANC97LA010: Cessna 172M, N20024, Bethel, AK, December 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 4, 1996, 09:54 local (13:54 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK - Coordinates: 60.809642, -161.849365 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8096&lon=-161.8494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2953 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2953/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA010 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision, and resultant failure to obtain/maintain sufficient airspeed during takeoff. A factor related the accident was: taking off with a tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot and two passengers were departing on a cross-country on-demand charter flight. The airplane was 120 pounds below maximum gross weight. The pilot departed runway 11, but after lift off, the airplane would not climb. The airplane collided with snow covered tundra terrain about 1/8 mile from the departure end of the runway. The operator indicated the pilot and a mechanic passenger observed the airplane lights flicker on and off, and smelled an odor of overheated electrical wiring. An inspection of the airplane by the FAA did not reveal any mechanical malfunction. The wind conditions at the airport, from just before and just after the accident, varied from 300 to 312 degrees at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative On December 4, 1996, at 0954 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172M, N20024, collided with terrain during takeoff from the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country on-demand passenger flight to Napaskiak, Alaska, under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to Village Aviation Inc., Bethel, and operated by Camai Air as flight number 24, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, and 2 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The operator reported that the airplane departed runway 11. The airplane lifted off the ground but would not climb. The airplane collided with snow covered tundra terrain about 1/8 mile from the departure end of the runway. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, fuselage, and right wing. The operator indicated that the pilot and a mechanic passenger observed the airplane lights flicker on and off and smelled an odor of overheated electrical wiring. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. No mechanical malfunction was noted. The FAA inspector reported the airplane was 120 pounds under maximum gross weight. The FAA also indicated the pilot reported rotating the airplane for takeoff at 60 to 65 MPH. The closest official weather observation station is Bethel, Alaska. At 0952, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 330 degrees (true) at 9 knots; visibility, 10 miles; sky condition and ceiling, few clouds at 5,000 feet, few clouds at 20,000 feet; temperature, -4 degrees F; dew point, -10 degrees F; altimeter, 29.10 inHg. At 1006, a special observation was reporting in part: Wind, 320 degrees (true) at 9 knots; visibility, 20 miles; sky condition and ceiling, few clouds at 5,000 feet, few clouds at 20,000 feet; temperature, -4 degrees F; dew point, -10 degrees F; altimeter, 29.10 inHg; remarks, aircraft mishap. At 0953, the automatic terminal information service (ATIS) for the Bethel airport was reporting, in part: "Bethel Tower information foxtrot, at 0854; wind, 300 at 9 knots; visibility, 10 miles; sky condition and ceiling, few clouds at 5,000 feet; temperature, -20 C; dew point temperature, -24 C; altimeter, 29.08 inHg..." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20024](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20024-1998-06-02), registration cancelled 1998-06-02, S/N 17260940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17260940 - Airframe hours: 12764 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Village Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 4, 1996, 81 hours before - Departed: BET - Destination: PKA, NAPASKIAK, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: BET, Bethel, runway 11, 1,850 × 75 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,180 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -4 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BET, 1 nm away ## 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 19961204037099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961204037099A), Dec 4, 1996: Cessna 172M, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. Premature takeoff in quartering tailwind. Failed to climb. Settled into snow covered tundra. Damaged wing and gear. ## Other investigations on N20024 (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 ANC92FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92FA002), Oct 3, 1991: Cessna 172M (N20024), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A POWER LOSS OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER. 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.