What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On 04/02/04 at 1725 hours PDT Mr. Greg roher, a CFI, acting as pilot-in-command of N88BM, a Cessna 177, cardinal, attempted to depart runway 24 at California City airport (L71), California City, CA. After liftoff the 150 HP Cessna cardinal, loaded at least to its gross weight, and at a density altitude of at least 3463 (field elevation 2450' MSL and temperature 64 degrees f and altimeter 29.82), attained an estimated 50 to 75 feet AGL before it settled back to the ground beyond the end of the runway. The four occupants exited the aircraft with minor injuries prior to the aircraft catching fire.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON 04/02/04 AT 1725 HOURS PDT MR. GREG ROHER, A CFI, ACTING AS PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF N88BM, A CESSNA 177, CARDINAL, ATTEMPTED TO DEPART RUNWAY 24 AT CALIFORNIA CITY AIRPORT (L71), CALIFORNIA CITY, CA. AFTER LIFTOFF THE 150 HP CESSNA CARDINAL, LOADED AT LEAST TO ITS GROSS WEIGHT, AND AT A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF AT LEAST 3463 (FIELD ELEVATION 2450' MSL AND TEMPERATURE 64 DEGREES F AND ALTIMETER 29.82), ATTAINED AN ESTIMATED 50 TO 75 FEET AGL BEFORE IT SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE FOUR OCCUPANTS EXITED THE AIRCRAFT WITH MINOR INJURIES PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT CATCHING FIRE.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.