# NTSB SEA84LA051: Cessna 172 Rgii, N9557B, Seattle, WA, February 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1984, 16:30 local (Feb 10, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Location: 47.5300° N, 122.3019° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BOEING FLD/KING COUNTY INTL (BFI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5300&lon=-122.3019&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39872
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39872/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - gear retraction - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A TAKEOFF AFTER A TOUCH AND GO LANDING THE NOSE GEAR RETRACTED AT ABOUT THE TIME OF ROTATION. POWER WAS REDUCED TO IDLE AND THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP. THIS ACFT IS EQUIPPED WITH SQUAT SWITCHES WHICH PREVENT GEAR RETRACTION WHEN THE WEIGHT OF THE ACFT COMPRESSES THE STRUTS. TESTING DO NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTION OF THE RETRACTION SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9557B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9557B), registered now, S/N 172RG0879, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 RGII
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0879
- Airframe hours: 640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Boeing Employees Flying Ass.
- Registered owner: Claude Watson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 13, 1983, 106 hours before
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Airport: BFI, Boeing Field, runway 13L, 10,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 629 total, 58 in this make and model, 411 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI

## 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 19840209014369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840209014369A), Feb 9, 1984: Cessna 172RG, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. Nose gear retracted during takeoff roll causing substantial damage.

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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