- Date
- July 2, 1995, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place
- New Cuyama, CA
- Injuries
- 4 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N61602Cessna 172M
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 29, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950702015939A
- Case key
- 29137
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed, his premature rotation, and his failure to maintain directional control when the aircraft settled back onto the runway. The pilot's selection of a closed airport for the takeoff attempt was a factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that during the takeoff he rotated and the aircraft lifted off, but quickly settled back onto the runway. The aircraft then veered left off the runway, encountered soft soil, and the nose landing gear collapsed. Review of the notices to airmen (NOTAM) file disclosed that a NOTAM was issued in March denoting that the New Cuyama airport is closed. Under the entry for the airport in the most current FAA airport facility directory, the remarks section states: 'airport closed indefinitely. Runway 10-28 (has) numerous potholes and debris and weeds.'
Factual narrative
On July 2, 1995, at 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N61602, collapsed the landing gear following a loss of directional control during the takeoff ground roll at the New Cuyama, California, airport. The aircraft was operated by Santa Barbara Pilot Center of Goleta, California, and was rented by the pilot for the flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The pilot had flown to New Cuyama earlier in the day, and was beginning a local personal flight from the airport at the time of the accident.
In his statement, the pilot reported that during the takeoff he rotated and the aircraft lifted off, but quickly settled back onto the runway. The aircraft then veered left off the runway, encountered soft soil, and collapsed the nose landing gear.
Review of the notices to airmen (NOTAM) file disclosed that a NOTAM was issued in March denoting that the New Cuyama Airport is closed. The most current FAA airport facility directory issued before the accident was examined. Under the entry for the airport, the remarks section states: "Airport closed indefinitely. Runway 10-28 (has) numerous potholes and debris and weeds."
Aircraft
- Registration
- N61602
- Reported as
- Cessna 172M
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17264669
- Airframe hours
- 3,098
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-E2D, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Santa Barbara Pilot Center
- Registered owner
- International Truck
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 21, 1995 · 73 hours before
- Departed
- L88
- Airport
- L88 · New Cuyama, runway 10, 3,970 × 60 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 21
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 62 total · 3 in this make and model · 20 as pilot in command · 18 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 84 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N61602 · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.