# NTSB LAX01LA251: Cessna 172M, N20466, Carson City, NV, July 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 2001, 19:09 local (Jul 19, 2001, 02:09 UTC) - Place: Carson City, NV - Coordinates: 39.139358, -119.709754 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1394&lon=-119.7098&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52761/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA251 ## Probable cause 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - wire,transmission - aircraft performance,climb capability - impeded - flight control,flap - extended - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of certification, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent ## Analysis 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." ## Factual narrative On July 18, 2001, at 1909 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N20466, impacted electrical power transmission lines at the departure end of the runway, flew an additional 3 miles, and crashed after takeoff from the Carson Airport, Carson City, Nevada. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The local area photographic flight was operated by Aviation America, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. A commercial certificated pilot observed the aircraft takeoff on runway 27 from his position at midfield on the south side of the airport. His attention was drawn to the airplane as it flew past 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, westbound. He didn't know if it was taking off or doing a touch-and-go or a go-around, but the flaps were full down. As it traveled further west it started to sink and then disappeared from his view behind the hangars on the west end of the airport. He didn't think the engine sounded as though it was operating at full power. He recalled the automatic weather observation system (AWOS) reporting the surface wind was from the west at 8 knots. The density altitude was approximately 7,000 feet. The aircraft crashed 3 miles south of the airport in a ravine adjacent to a prison. At the scene, the pilot identified himself to law enforcement personnel using the pilot certificate number of another pilot whose name was spelled similarly. As of July 23, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration Airman Records database showed the pilot's private pilot certificate 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." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20466](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20466-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 17261310, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17261310 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fortier Enterprises Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: CXP, Carson City, NV - Airport: CXP, Carson, runway 9, 5,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; medical: class 2, expired ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 270° at 18 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 19 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 20010718017829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010718017829A), Jul 18, 2001: Cessna 172M, Carson City, NV, Substantial damage. (.19) On July 18, 2001, at 1909 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N20466, impacted electrical power transmission lines and crashed shortly after… 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.