# NTSB DEN86LA134: Cessna 172H, N3749R, Great Falls, MT, May 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1986, 09:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Great Falls, MT
- Location: 47.4823° N, 111.3703° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GREAT FALLS INTL (GTF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4823&lon=-111.3703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16962/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA134

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
- Nose over, standing - engine(s) operating
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER LANDING ON RWY 24 HE WAS BACK TAXIING ON RWY 06 WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG, GUSTY SURFACE WINDS. HE SAID HE STOPPED AND WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO TIE DOWN WHEN A STRONG GUST FLIPPED THE ACFT ONTO ITS BACK. SURFACE WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED FROM 260 DEGREES AT 33 WITH GUSTS TO 42 MILES PER HOUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3749R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172255549
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kirby And Penny Underahl, doing business as Kirby Underdahl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TIBER LAKE, MT
- Airport: GTF, Great Falls International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 167 total, 161 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 33 knots, gusting 42
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GTF

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860514017569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860514017569A), May 14, 1986: Cessna 172H, Great Falls, MT, Substantial damage. Blown over while taxiing after landing in severe surface winds. Wind was too high for safe control of aircraft type.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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