Cessna 172RG N6091R accident near Alturas, California

Probable cause

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.

NTSB analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14LA250 for the full record.