Cessna 172RG accident near Alturas, California, June 19, 2014
On June 19, 2014 at about 3:20 pm local time, a 1979 Cessna 172RG, registered N6091R, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Alturas, California (Alturas Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplane’s failure to attain rotation speed during the takeoff roll for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff with insufficient runway remaining to stop.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 2014 · about 3:20 pm local time
- Place
- Alturas, California · Alturas Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172RG NO SERIES, built 1979 · all 172RGs on the register
- Registration
- N6091R · no longer on the register · serial 172RG0079
- 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 roll for the local flight, the airplane did not reach rotation speed but that it briefly became airborne and then immediately settled back onto the runway. She noted that the takeoff roll was longer than normal because, after settling, the airplane was beyond the runway's halfway point. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff when she realized that there was insufficient runway remaining. She then reduced engine power and applied the brakes, and the passenger also applied the brakes. The airplane was subsequently intentionally veered off the right side of the runway and it then collided with a ditch and fence and nosed over. During the postaccident examination of the airplane, the wheels were hard to rotate by hand. The brake assemblies revealed thermal discoloration to the rotors and damaged pad material, which likely resulted from the excessive braking during the aborted takeoff. Further examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 600 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,662.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 3, 2014; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 6,663 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AAT Alturas CA at 3:20 pm
- Destination: AAT Alturas CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 21, 3,096 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from KAAT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on August 3, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot’s Written Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Passenger’s Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weight and Balance Charts | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Pilots Operating Handbook, Performance | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Record of Conversation-parker Aerospace | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Loe) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo 2 - Right Brake Rotor and Wheel Assembly | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photo 3 - Left Brake Pads | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.