# NTSB WPR25LA051: Cessna 175, N7501M, Middlegate, NV, November 30, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 30, 2024, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Middlegate, NV · Unimproved road near restaurant - Coordinates: 39.2878, -118.0283 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2878&lon=-118.0283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 195569 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195569/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195569 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA051 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on a rough surface during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that, while taking off from a road, the airplane entered an area of rough terrain. The airplane veered left off the road and into vegetation, at which time the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the aft fuselage, vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7501M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7501M), registered now, S/N 55801, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55801 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 4735.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2024 - Airport: N/A - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 17, 2024; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 719 total, 591 in this make and model, 669 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 34; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KTMT, 40 nm away - METAR: KTMT 302155Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 11/M13 A3022 RMK AO2 T01101134 ## 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 20241130018369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241130018369A), Nov 30, 2024: Cessna 175, Fallon, NV, Substantial damage. Pilot statement- I wanted to take the family flying and have lunch at Middlegate, NV. We departed silver springs around 10AM. I flew around silver springs and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195569. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18059095&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 898 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18060274&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf 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.