Cessna 172M accident near Carson City, Nevada, July 19, 2001
On July 19, 2001 at about 2:09 am local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N20466, was substantially damaged in an accident near Carson City, Nevada (Carson airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 2001 · about 2:09 am local time
- Place
- Carson City, Nevada · Carson · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N20466 · no longer on the register · serial 17261310
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (expired)
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CXP Carson City NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 5,900 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 270° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 1:56 am from RNO, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.