# NTSB ANC08CA017: Cessna 172, N5555R, Nashville, TN, November 5, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 5, 2007, 13:41 local (19:41 UTC)
- Place: Nashville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.124443, -86.678337
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1244&lon=-86.6783&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67032/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA017

## Probable cause

A propwash encounter during taxi from a four-engine airplane that overturned the pilot's single-engine airplane when he elected to taxi across the larger airplane's propwash.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller blast or jet exhaust/suction, taxi - to takeoff
  - propeller/jet blast encounter - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The private certificated pilot was cleared to taxi for takeoff and was proceeding toward the departure runway in a light, single-engine airplane.  The pilot saw a four-engine military C-130 turboprop airplane that appeared to be doing an engine run-up, about 300 feet to the left of his taxiway.  In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, the pilot reported, "I stopped short, and contacted Nashville ground 121.9, stating that I request further taxi instructions since a C-130 is running engines with exhaust blast toward me."  The controller stated "...proceed your discretion."  The pilot continued to taxi behind the C-130, and his airplane was struck by the propwash.  The pilot's airplane was blown sideways and overturned.  Paragraph 11, Jet Engine Exhaust, of the FAA's Advisory Circular AC 90-23F Aircraft Wake Turbulence, notes that light aircraft need to maintain adequate separation from jet engine blast during ground operations.

## Factual narrative

The private certificated pilot was cleared to taxi for takeoff and was proceeding toward the departure runway in a light, single-engine airplane.  The pilot saw a four-engine military C-130 turboprop airplane that appeared to be doing an engine run-up, about 300 feet to the left of his taxiway.  In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, the pilot reported, "I stopped short, and contacted Nashville ground 121.9, stating that I request further taxi instructions since a C-130 is running engines with exhaust blast toward me."  The controller stated "...proceed your discretion."  The pilot continued to taxi behind the C-130, and his airplane was struck by the propwash.  The pilot's airplane was blown sideways and overturned.  Paragraph 11, Jet Engine Exhaust, of the FAA's Advisory Circular AC 90-23F Aircraft Wake Turbulence, notes that light aircraft need to maintain adequate separation from jet engine blast during ground operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5555R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5555R-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 17253143, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253143
- Engines: Lycoming O-300 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Merlin G. Grigsby
- Registered owner: Merlin Grigsby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KBNA, Nashville, TN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: KBNA, Nashville International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 760 total, 760 in this make and model, 78 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20071105827559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071105827559A), Nov 5, 2007: Cessna 172F, Nashville, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) November 05, 2007, at 1341 local time aircraft N5555R Cessna 172F was taxiing on sierra 7 taxiway for departure on runway 20C. Aircraft taxied behind…

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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