N80205

On March 18, 2000, at 1540 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172M, N80205, was substantially damaged when the aircraft veered off runway 34 into rough terrain during takeoff at Natomas Field, Sacramento, California. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Sacramento Aero Services. The private certificated pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area personal flight. No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that, as the aircraft was lifting off the runway during takeoff, it settled back to the ground and veered to the left off the runway. The pilot applied wheel braking and the aircraft flipped inverted. The pilot cited poor runway condition and loose gravel as a factor in the accident.

An airworthiness inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Sacramento Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft after the accident. The inspector reported that he did not observe anything mechanically wrong with the aircraft that contributed to the accident.

NTSB form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, was sent to the pilot on March 23, 2000, April 26, 2000, and June 27, 2000. Voicemail messages were left April 26th and June 14th. The report was received from the pilot on July 10, 2000.