Cessna 152 and Cessna 172N accident near Fort Worth, Texas, July 24, 1997
On July 24, 1997 at about 3:45 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 152 (N94912) and Cessna 172N (N733HC), were involved in the same accident near Fort Worth, Texas (Fort Worth Meacham airport). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
failure of the pilot in the Cessna 172 to maintain clearance from the Cessna 152 aircraft.
failure of the pilot in the Cessna 172 to maintain clearance from the Cessna 152 aircraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 1997 · about 3:45 pm local time · cases in 1997
- Place
- Fort Worth, Texas · Fort Worth Meacham · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N94912 · no longer on the register · serial 15285810
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N733HC · registry record · serial 17268298
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 152 final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172N final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Cessna 152 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 43 hours in all; 21 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FTW
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16L, 7,501 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from FTW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172N from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 15 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FTW
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16L, 7,501 ft by 150 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N94912 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N94912: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Cessna 152 1,636 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Cessna 72,682 aircraft on the register
- N733HC on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Cessna 172 Skyhawk 20,687 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Cessna 72,682 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 14 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 27,303 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Fort Worth Meacham International · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Texas 6,244 since 1982 · 1,064 in the last ten years
- Texas 29,966 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N94912 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/FTW97LA281.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.