LAX04CA179

Factual narrative

On April 6, 2004, at 1550 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 95-A55, N686H, collided with terrain during the takeoff climb at the Montague Airport-Yreka Rohrer Field, Montague, California. The owner, a passenger on this flight, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local area flight was departing at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local area personal flight. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was practicing short field takeoffs and landings on runway 5/23, a turf runway. His first landing was on runway 23. He taxied back to the departure end of runway 23 and departed with 20 degrees of flaps. He made a right-hand traffic pattern, and repeated the procedure. The pilot then taxied to runway 5 and departed with the airplane in the same configuration. About 1,300 feet down the runway, the airplane bounced and then lifted from the runway. The airplane climbed to approximately 350 feet above ground level, and then began turning right. The pilot attempted to correct the right turn with left rudder and aileron. The airplane shuddered, and began to stall just prior to impact into an open field. The airplane slid 300 feet before coming to rest. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. According to the airport manager, the airplane was landing runway 23. During the second landing, approximately 600 feet from the end of the runway, the airplane spun around and began its takeoff roll. The airplane bounced into the air after crossing the intersection of runway 14/32, an asphalt runway. The Airport Facility Directory, Southwest U.S., indicated that runway 5/23 was 2,080 feet in length. The airplane collided with terrain following an in-flight loss of control. The pilot was practicing short field takeoffs and landings on runway 5/23, a turf runway 2,080 feet long. His first landing was on runway 23. He taxied back to he departure end of runway 23 and departed with 20 degrees of flaps. He made a right-hand traffic pattern, and repeated the procedure. The pilot then departed runway 5, starting the departure roll approximately 600 feet from the beginning of the runway. At the intersection of runway 14/32, an asphalt runway, the airplane bounced and became airborne. The airplane climbed to approximately 350 feet agl, and then began turning right. The pilot attempted to correct the right turn with left rudder and aileron. The airplane shuddered and began to stall just prior to impact into an open field. The airplane slid 300 feet before coming to rest. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12