Piper PA 28-180 accident near Montague, California, March 11, 2018
On March 11, 2018, a 1968 Piper PA 28-180, registered N6611J, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Montague, California (Montague-Yreka Rohrer Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Impact with powerlines and terrain after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 11, 2018
- Place
- Montague, California · Montague-Yreka Rohrer Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28-180 180, built 1968 · all PA 28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N6611J · no longer on the register · serial 28-5073
- 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 takeoff following a touch-and-go landing, the airplane would not climb. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing, during which the airplane contacted power lines and terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Following the accident, the engine was successfully run on the airframe at various power settings with no anomalies noted. Flight control continuity was established throughout the airframe, and there was no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Given the available information, the reason for the impact with powerlines and terrain after takeoff could not be determined.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 239.1 hours in all
- Last flight review: June 13, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,812.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 13, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4A (piston); 6,291 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1O5 Montague CA
- Destination: 1O5 Montague CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 3,360 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on February 18, 2021. 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 | Memorandum for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Airframe and Engine Examination | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpts from Pilot Logbook | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Logbooks Excerpts | PDF, 8 pages | 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.