# NTSB SEA88LA037: Cessna 172P, N5328K, Vashon Island, WA, January 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1988, 16:30 local (Jan 20, 1988, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Vashon Island, WA
- Coordinates: 47.419281, -122.450965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4193&lon=-122.4510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA037

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLL THE PILOT MADE AN INTENTIONAL GROUNDLOOP TO AVOID TREES AT THE END OF THE SHORT, WET, S0D RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE USE OF BRAKES WAS INEFFECTIVE. HE STATED THAT HE MADE THE LANDING USING 30 DEGS OF FLAPS AT AN AIRSPEED OF 60 KNOTS. THE RIGHT WING CAUGHT AT DITCH ALONG THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY DURING THE GROUNDLOOP. ACCORDING TO THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS SHORT FIELD LANDING PERFORMANCE DATA, THE TOTAL DISTANCE REQUIRED TO MAKE A SHORT FIELD LANDING ON A DRY GRASS RUNWAY WITH 30 DEGS OF FLAPS, POWER OFF, CALM WINDS AND MAXIMUM BRAKING IS 1465 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5328K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5328K), registered now, S/N 17274067, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274067
- Airframe hours: 2715
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry R. Blair, doing business as Flight Tech, Inc.
- Registered owner: Henry R Blair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 11, 1987, 37 hours before
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: 2S1, VASHON ISLAND, WA
- Airport: 2S1, Vashon Island, runway 35, 1,940 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 86 total, 6 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F

## 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 19880119036369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880119036369A), Jan 19, 1988: Cessna 172P, Vashon, WA, Substantial damage. Unable to stop on short, wet, grass runway. Intentionally ground looped. Flew damaged aircraft back to base.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.