# NTSB MIA98LA234: Cessna 172G, N5797R, Leesburg, FL, September 1, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1998, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Leesburg, FL
- Location: 28.8229° N, 81.8084° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LEESBURG INTL (LEE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8229&lon=-81.8084&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA234

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to leave the engine running with no one at the controls as he exited the aircraft to check for wheel chocks in place. This resulted in the aircraft moving uncontrolled and eventually colliding with a fence.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - miscellaneous
  - object - fence

## Analysis

When the pilot attempted to taxi for takeoff, the aircraft would not move.  He left the engine running and exited the aircraft to see if he had left the wheel chocks in place.  As he exited the aircraft it began to move.  He could not get back in the aircraft due to the propeller blast.  The aircraft taxied uncontrolled and made a 360 degree turn.  The aircraft then taxied across a taxiway and field and collided with a fence.

## Factual narrative

On September 1, 1998, about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N5797R, registered to an individual, collided with a fence at Leesburg Municipal Airport, Leesburg, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that when he attempted to begin taxiing for takeoff, the aircraft would not move. He left the engine running and exited the aircraft to see if he had left the wheel chocks in place. As he exited the aircraft it began to move. The wind from the propeller prevented him from getting back in the aircraft. The aircraft taxied uncontrolled and made a 360-degree turn. The aircraft then taxied across a taxiway into a field and collided with a fence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5797R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5797R), registered now, S/N 17253466, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253466
- Airframe hours: 3075
- Engines: Lycoming O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Connors
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1998, 25 hours before
- Departed: LEE
- Airport: LEE, Leesburg Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 370 total, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 30 nm away

## 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 19980901022509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980901022509A), Sep 1, 1998: Cessna 172G, Leesburg, FL, Substantial damage. Acft was attempting to taxi but would not move, pilot stepped out of the acft to remove the chocks, and the empty acft moved forward and struck a fence.(.19)…

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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