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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 9, 1993 · Cessna 172N · N75901

Alturus, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Alturus, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N75901
Operator
Executive Flyers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA284

The pilot said he was departing the Alturus municipal airport, which has an elevation of 4,375 feet MSL. The official weather observation for the airport reported a temperature of 83 degrees 20 minutes after the accident, for a computed density altitude of 7,100 feet. The pilot noted that the engine ran smoothly during the takeoff ground roll, but did not seem to reach full RPM. He said that at about 50 knots he rotated the nose of the aircraft and it climbed about 10 feet, then settled back onto the pavement. The pilot noted that he attempted several times to lift off the runway, but the aircraft would not climb off of the pavement. The pilot stated that he then aborted the takeoff, overran the departure end of the runway and collided with a ditch and a fence. The flight manual for the aircraft states that the mixture should be leaned for takeoff at fields with elevations above 3,000 feet. The rotation speed specified in the flight manual for a normal takeoff is 55 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. THE PILOT'S PREMATURE ROTATION AND HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES IN THE AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL REGARDING USE OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL, THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITION AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPEREINCE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

On July 9, 1993, at 1325 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N75901, collided with a ditch during an on ground takeoff runway over run at the Alturus municipal airport, Alturus, California. The aircraft was operated by Executive Flyers, Inc., of Sacramento, California, and was rented by the pilot for a cross country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm winds. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his one passenger were injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a cross country personal flight to Sacramento, California. According to oral and written statements by the pilot, he said he was departing on the 3,600 foot long runway 21 at the Alturus municipal airport, which has an elevation of 4,375 feet MSL. The pilot noted that the engine ran smoothly during the takeoff ground roll, but did not seem to reach full RPM. He said that at about 50 knots he rotated the nose of the aircraft and it climbed about 10 feet, then settled back onto the pavement. The pilot noted that he attempted several times to lift off the runway, but the aircraft would not climb off of the pavement. The pilot stated that he then aborted the takeoff, over ran the departure end of the runway and collided with a ditch and a fence. Based on an official weather observation taken for the National Weather Service at Alturus, the temperature was recorded as 83 degrees about 20 minutes after the accident. The density altitude was computed at about 7,100 feet. The Airplane Flight Manual for the aircraft states that the mixture should be leaned prior to takeoff at fields with elevations above 3,000 feet. The rotation speed listed in the flight manual for normal takeoff's is 55 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:25 PDT
Nearest AirportAlturus Municipal (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length3460 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN75901
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorExecutive Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data