C172 is struck by wake turbulence from a B737 that shot a touch and go the opposite direct on the runway from which he departed at midfield.

Date: 2009-06 · Aircraft: Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 · Phase: takeoff

Anomalies: ground-excursion-runway|inflight-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|inflight-event-encounter-wake-vortex-encounter

Synopsis

C172 is struck by wake turbulence from a B737 that shot a touch and go the opposite direct on the runway from which he departed at midfield.

Narrative

While taxiing to Runway 34L; saw a B737 do a touch and go in front of me on Runway 16R. While holding for takeoff; Tower advised hold for wake turbulence. After holding for at least 3 minutes; cleared for takeoff nearing the end of my ground run and starting to rotate; hit by very strong gust of wind from the right. Despite full right rudder and right aileron -- inputs had no effect and I was blown off runway into rough grass. I chopped the throttle and rolled out with back pressure on yoke. There was no injury or visible damage to plane and a thorough inspection at FBO later found no hidden damage. Prop did not strike ground during event. Wind at the time varied from 330 to 350 at about 10 KTS. Given the wait for takeoff clearance and winds; turbulence should have dissipated enough not to cause a problem. Seems this was just a freak occurrence. Perhaps the B737 touch and go had an effect or its use of Runway 16 or the immediate addition of power for takeoff. If faced with a similar situation again; I'll request additional delay before departure or runway change.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.