Cessna 172M N20466

Summary

On 19 July 2001 at about 02:09 local time, a Cessna 172M registered N20466 was involved in an accident near Carson City, Nevada, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 July 2001 at 02:09

Classification

Accident

Location

Carson City, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Carson (CXP)

Coordinates

39.1394, -119.7098

Aircraft

Cessna 172M

Registration

N20466

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Carson City → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

NTSB number

LAX01LA251

3 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to follow the approved procedures for the aircraft when he attempted to takeoff at high density altitude with the wing flaps fully extended.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Another pilot witnessed the aircraft takeoff. His attention was drawn to the airplane as it flew past his position because it was "hanging there," flying at a slow speed, and appeared to be trying to climb. It was about 100 feet above the runway and he noticed that the wing flaps were full down. As it traveled further it started to sink and then disappeared from his view behind hangars. He didn't think the engine sounded as though it was operating at full power. The density altitude was approximately 7,000 feet. The aircraft struck electrical power transmission wires at the departure end of the runway and subsequently crashed 3 miles from the airport. At the scene, the pilot identified himself to law enforcement personnel using the pilot certificate number of another pilot whose name was spelled similarly. Federal Aviation Administration Airman Records database showed the pilot's private pilot certificate was in a revoked status. NTSB form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, was sent to the pilot's local address and was not returned. A letter from the pilot to a third party, dated August 21, 2001, stated "I have returned to Germany since at present I am unable to resolve the issues that I'm facing."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.