# NTSB FTW87LA040: Cessna 172, N53384, Marble Falls, TX, December 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1986, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Marble Falls, TX
- Coordinates: 30.57032, -98.269676 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5703&lon=-98.2697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA040

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A PILOT ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN THE LOCAL AREA AT RANDOLF AFB, TX. WAS FLYING LOW OVER THE LLANO RIVER ABOUT 50 FT. AGL AND CONTACTED A POWER LINE, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE RIGHT WING. THE PILOT CONTINUED ON TO RANDOLF AFB AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N53384 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274736
- Airframe hours: 1905
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randolf Afb Aero Club
- Registered owner: Eugene Garove
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RND, RANDOLF AFB, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: RND, Randolf Afb

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 86 total, 73 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS

## 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 19861224080609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861224080609A), Dec 24, 1986: Cessna 172P, Marble Falls, TX, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck wires but landed safely. Pilot was operating along a river at low altitude.

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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