# NTSB FTW97LA247: Cessna 172P, N53795, Fort Worth, TX, June 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 1997, 15:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.749912, -97.33097 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7499&lon=-97.3310&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20265 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20265/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA247 ## Probable cause improper planning/decision by the flight instructor (CFI), which resulted in his inadvertent encounter with jet blast from a twin jet transport airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller blast or jet exhaust/suction, taxi - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - propeller/jet blast encounter - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis According to a flight instructor (CFI), he taxied a Cessna (N53795) northbound on taxiway A, behind a twin jet transport airplane to takeoff on runway 16L. The twin jet transport airplane turned west and stopped at the hold short line for runway 16L. The CFI stated that he proceeded to taxi behind the jet towards the run up pad. As the Cessna was passing behind the jet, the jet was cleared to takeoff. The CFI further stated that when the 'jet increased [its] throttles, the blast from the added exhaust caught Cessna 795 broadside and tipped it over onto its right wing tip and nose.' The CFI stated that when the 'exhaust blast dissipated, Cessna 795 righted itself.' The pilot shut down the airplane, and evacuated the plane along with the student pilot. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 1997, approximately 1505 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N53795, was substantially damaged while taxiing behind a Canadair RJ twin jet transport airplane at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport near Fort Worth, Texas. The certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was registered to ATE of New York, Inc. and operated by American Flyers, Inc. as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional dual flight. No flight plan had been filed. According to the flight instructor, he taxied northbound for departure on runway 16L via taxiway A. The Canadair RJ turned west and stopped at the hold short line for runway 16L. The flight instructor stated that he proceeded to taxi behind the twin jet transport towards the run up pad. While transitioning behind the twin jet transport, the jet was cleared to takeoff. The instructor pilot further stated that when the "jet increased [its] throttles, the blast from the added exhaust caught Cessna 795 broadside and tipped it over onto the right wing tip and nose." The instructor pilot stated that when the "exhaust blast dissipated, Cessna 795 righted itself." The instructor pilot completed shut down procedures and evacuated the airplane with the student pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53795](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53795-2013-01-30), registration cancelled 2013-01-30, S/N 17274817, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274817 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ate Of New Yourk Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: FTW - Airport: FTW, Fort Worth Meacham Intl, runway 16L, 7,501 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 355 total, 256 in this make and model, 290 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 1 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FTW ## 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 19970628044479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970628044479A), Jun 28, 1997: Cessna 172P, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Blown over onto wing tip and nose by jet wake from departing Canadair jet. Had taxied too close for safety. (-23) the pilot of N53795 taxied behind an air… ## Other investigations on N53795 (1) 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. - [NTSB DFW06CA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA008), Oct 17, 2005: Cessna 172P (N53795), Hitchcock, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to a cracked cylinder. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.