N20109Cessna 172M · 1972

On December 15, 2013, about 1730 Alaska Standard Time, a Cessna 172M airplane, N20109, sustained substantial damage after colliding with an airport fence during takeoff from the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was operated by Flight Alaska, Inc., doing business as Yute Air Alaska, as a scheduled commuter flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan had been filed for the scheduled flight to Napaskiak, Alaska.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the operator stated that the pilot was departing on runway 30. During the takeoff roll, the airplane became airborne briefly, but immediately settled back onto the runway. The pilot started to abort the takeoff, but realized that he did not have sufficient runway to stop the airplane. He reapplied full power, but impacted the airport perimeter fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage.

An examination of the airplane by a FAA airworthiness inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the engine was run on the airframe through various power settings without anomaly.

On January 19, 2010, about 0930 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 172M airplane, N20109, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a snowbank following a loss of control during takeoff at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Yute Air Taxi Inc., Bethel, as Flight 570, a visual flight rules (VFR) passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The airplane was bound for Napakiak, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on January 19, The Director of Operations for the operator said the pilot told him he lost directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, and that the airplane went off the left side of the runway, and collided with a snowbank. The director said the airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage aft of the nose wheel. He said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

In a written statement to the NTSB dated January 20, 2010, the pilot reported that after exiting the airplane he discovered that the left main landing gear wheel was locked up, and he was unable to rotate the wheel.

In an email to the NTSB dated February 19, 2010, the director of operations reported that the left main landing gear wheel and assembly had been examined by their mechanics, and no mechanical malfunctions were discovered.