# NTSB FTW86LA155: Cessna 172A, N7261T, Gainesville, TX, August 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1986, 19:00 local (Aug 25, 1986, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Gainesville, TX
- Coordinates: 33.629367, -97.150421 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6294&lon=-97.1504&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): 22080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA155

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAXIING INTO POSITION FOR TAKEOFF, WHEN THERE WAS A WIND SHIFT AND A GUST OF WIND INVERTED THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT HAD NOT OBTAINED ANY WEATHER REPORTS PRIOR TO TAXIING OUT TO THE RUNWAY. THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA AND A HEAVY RAIN BEGAN WITHIN MINUTES OF THE ACCIDENT DECREASING VISIBILITY TO APRX 1/4 MILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7261T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7261T-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 46861, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46861
- Airframe hours: 4318
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Michael D. Allison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1986, 11 hours before
- Airport: GLE, Gainesville, runway 17, 4,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 161 total, 97 in this make and model, 132 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots, gusting 40
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19860824042039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860824042039A), Aug 24, 1986: Cessna 172A, Gainesville, TX, Substantial damage. Gusty wind caused aircraft to invert during taxi for takeoff.

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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