Accident Details
On August 3, 2021, about 1130 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, registration N6778A, was substantially damaged in an accident at Ford Airport (IMT), Iron Mountain, Michigan. The pilot and a passenger aboard the Cessna 172 sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported landing at IMT, a nontowered airport, and taxied toward the parking area. As the Cessna 172 passed approximately 200 feet behind a parked Bombardier CRJ-200, the pilot observed cones placed around the CRJ-200 and noted that its beacon was rotating. However, no marshal or spotter was present on the ramp.
Two mechanics were performing a maintenance test on the CRJ-200 and were unaware of the taxiing Cessna 172. The mechanics did not announce their intention to increase engine power on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). After engine power was increased, jet blast from the CRJ-200 lifted the Cessna 172's tail, causing the aircraft to nose down. The left wing contacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage.
Operator Procedures
The mechanics did not comply with the operator's procedures for high-thrust maintenance operations at a nontowered airport. These procedures included notifying airport management personnel of high-thrust operations, selecting the most appropriate location on the airport, and actively communicating intentions on the CTAF. Following the accident, the operator reinforced training and communications to mechanics regarding the risks associated with high-thrust maintenance operations at nontowered airports.