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Accidents · NTSB FTW97LA281 · Final report

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).

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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 October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
July 24, 1997 · about 3:45 pm local time
Place
Fort Worth, Texas · Fort Worth Meacham · 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

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

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

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

Other NTSB records under N94912 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time

2000-03-28FTW00LA109 · accident near Decatur, TX · substantial damage · minor injuries

About this page

Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number FTW97LA281.