Cessna 172M accident near New Cuyama, California, July 2, 1995
On July 2, 1995 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N61602, was substantially damaged in an accident near New Cuyama, California (New Cuyama airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 2, 1995 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- New Cuyama, California · New Cuyama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N61602 · no longer on the register · serial 17264669
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.'
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
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 62 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 20 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,098 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 21, 1995; 73 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L88
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 3,970 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N61602 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.