# NTSB DEN87LA027: Cessna 152A, N4784A, Great Falls, MT, December 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1986, 13:47 local (20:47 UTC)
- Place: Great Falls, MT
- Coordinates: 47.650501, -111.379287 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6505&lon=-111.3793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA027

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS CLEARED TO MAKE A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING ON RWY 21. AS HE WAS LNDG, HE NOTICED THE ARRESTING BARRIER (CABLE) WAS RAISED. HE ADDED FULL PWR & PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE TO AVOID HITTING THE CABLE. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, BUT ITS TAIL HIT THE CABLE. AT THAT TIME, THE PLT WAS UNAWARE OF ANY DAMAGE, SO HE CONTINUED FLYING (MADE A GO-AROUND). HE ADVISED TOWER PSNL THAT THE BARRIER CABLE WAS UP & THEY LOWERED THE CABLE. AFTER LANDING, AN INSPN REVEALED THE TAIL TIE-DOWN WAS MISSING & THE REAR BULKHEAD WAS PARTIALLY RIPPED OUT & BENT AGAINST THE RUDDER. ATC HANDBOOK REQUIRED TOWER PERSONNEL TO KEEP THE ARRESTING GEAR IN THE RETRACTED OR DOWN POSITION FOR NORMAL OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - control tower service - inadequate, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - clearance - not attained
  - go-around - performed

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4784A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4784A), registered now, S/N A1520891, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152A
- Registry model: [Cessna A152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a152) (registry code 2071836) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A1520891
- Airframe hours: 3154
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: B & B Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1986, 50 hours before
- Airport: GTF, Great Falls Int'L, runway 21, 10,502 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 34 total, 32 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 19 °F
- 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 19861202072329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861202072329A), Dec 2, 1986: Cessna A152, Great Falls, MT, Substantial damage. ATC failed to lower arresting cable on the runway before clearing student for a touch and go. Aircraft damaged.

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

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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.