# NTSB FTW97LA281: Cessna 152, N94912, Fort Worth, TX, July 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 1997, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.500328, -97.190483 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5003&lon=-97.1905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20291 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20291/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA281 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) failure of the pilot in the Cessna 172 to maintain clearance from the Cessna 152 aircraft. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) failure of the pilot in the Cessna 172 to maintain clearance from the Cessna 152 aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), standing - engine(s) operating - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - to takeoff - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) As Cessna 172N, N733HC, was being taxied for takeoff, it collided with Cessna 152, N94912, that was standing with its engine operating. The Cessna 172 was initially positioned behind the Cessna 152 in the runup area. After completing his runup, the solo student pilot of the Cessna 172 contacted the tower and received clearance for an 'immediate' takeoff. He attempted to pass to the right of the Cessna 152; however, the left wing tip of the Cessna 172 contacted the rudder of the Cessna 152. Subsequently, the Cessna 172 pivoted left, and its propeller struck the right wing tip of the Cessna 152. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) As Cessna 172N, N733HC, was being taxied for takeoff, it collided with Cessna 152, N94912, that was standing with its engine operating. The Cessna 172 was initially positioned behind the Cessna 152 in the runup area. After completing his runup, the solo student pilot of the Cessna 172 contacted the tower and received clearance for an 'immediate' takeoff. He attempted to pass to the right of the Cessna 152; however, the left wing tip of the Cessna 172 contacted the rudder of the Cessna 152. Subsequently, the Cessna 172 pivoted left, and its propeller struck the right wing tip of the Cessna 152. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) See narrative for FTW97LA281A. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On July 24, 1997, at 1045 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N94912, was standing with its engine operating when it was struck by a Cessna 172N, N733HC, that was taxiing for takeoff at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, Fort Worth, Texas. The Cessna 152 was registered to and operated by Qualiflight Aviation of Fort Worth, and the Cessna 172 was registered to and operated by Aer Mistral of Fort Worth. The Cessna 152 was substantially damaged, and the Cessna 172 sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to either of the solo student pilots. No flight plan was filed for either of the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local instructional flights, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Both flights were originating at the time of the accident. According to the FAA inspector, who conducted an on scene investigation, the Cessna 172 was positioned behind the Cessna 152 in the runup area for runway 16L. The pilot of the Cessna 172 called the air traffic control tower and requested clearance for takeoff. He was cleared for an "immediate" takeoff and began to taxi forward. The left wing tip of the Cessna 172 contacted the rudder of the Cessna 152. Subsequently, the Cessna 172 pivoted left, and its propeller struck the right wing tip of the Cessna 152. Damage to the Cessna 172 was confined to the left fiberglass wing tip and the propeller. The rudder, vertical fin, right aileron, and outboard right wing of the Cessna 152 sustained structural damage. In a written statement provided to the NTSB, the pilot of the Cessna 172 reported that his airplane was one of seven in the runup area. After completing his runup, he requested takeoff clearance from the tower and was "cleared for an immediate takeoff, as there was another aircraft who was on a 2 mile final." The pilot of the Cessna 172 further reported that he attempted to pass to the right of the Cessna 152, which "had started taxiing towards the runway." However, the Cessna 152 "stopped suddenly," and "[his] left wingtip hit its rudder." In a written statement provided to the NTSB, the pilot of the Cessna 152 reported that he had "stopped" his airplane and was waiting to contact the tower for takeoff clearance when the Cessna 172's left wing "from behind struck [his] vertical fin." ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N94912](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94912-2003-04-22), registration cancelled 2003-04-22, S/N 15285810, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15285810 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Qualiflight Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: FTW - Airport: FTW, Fort Worth Meacham, runway 16L, 7,501 × 150 ft, concrete ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N733HC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733HC), registered now, S/N 17268298, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268298 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aer Mistral, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FTW - Airport: FTW, Fort Worth Meacham, runway 16L, 7,501 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N94912; age 18; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 21 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N733HC; age 23; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FTW ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970724023611A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970724023611A), Jul 24, 1997: Cessna 152, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Holding for takeoff rudder was struck by wing tip of another taxing aircraft N733HC. (-23) student pilot was second in line holding for takeoff on runway 16L… - [Accident 19970724023612A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970724023612A), Jul 24, 1997: Cessna 172N, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Hit empenage of plane as he taxied behind same. (-23) student pilot misjudged the distance and hit empenage of a CE-152 as he taxied behind it. The CE-172 then… ## Other investigations on N94912 (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 FTW00LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA109), Mar 28, 2000: Cessna 152 (N94912), Decatur, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The instructor pilot's failure to maintain the minimum controllable airspeed during a simulated emergency approach, which resulted in a stall. 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.