# NTSB FTW87LA115: Cessna 172, N7259A, Amarillo, TX, May 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1987, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Amarillo, TX
- Coordinates: 35.68935, -101.820465 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6893&lon=-101.8205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA115

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAXI THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RAMP WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG GUSTY WINDS. THE PASSENGER AND FOUR LINEMEN ATTEMPTED TO HOLD THE AIRCRAFT DOWN, BUT THE WINDS BLEW THE AIRCRAFT OVER INVERTED CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7259A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7259A), registered now, S/N 29359 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29359
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Stephens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1987
- Destination: AMA
- Airport: AMA, Amarillo Inter'L, runway 31, 7,900 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 649 total, 23 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 40 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19870503012219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870503012219A), May 3, 1987: Cessna 172, Amarillo, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft blown around inverted during taxi in from landing in strong gusty winds.

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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