# NTSB SEA88LA089: Cessna 172, N7090A, Kennewick, WA, May 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1988, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Kennewick, WA
- Coordinates: 46.210533, -119.159278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2105&lon=-119.1593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - fractured (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - inadequate, unknown (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE GEAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER, WITH THE NOSE GEAR TURNING 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN NOSED DOWN ONTO THE NOSE AND RIGHT WING. VISUAL EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S SHIMMY DAMPENER ARM ASSEMBLY REVEALED A PREVIOUS WELD WITHIN 1/2' OF A FRACTURE. THE FRACTURE SURFACES WERE ROUGH AND IRREGULAR IN APPEARANCE. THE NOSE GEAR STEERING ROD END BEARING BOLT WAS ALSO FRACTURED FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE BENDING FORCES. NO RECORD OF A REPAIR TO THE NOSE GEAR SHIMMY DAMPENER ARM ASSEMBLY COULD BE FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT'S MAINTENANCE LOG BOOKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7090A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7090A-1991-05-15), registration cancelled 1991-05-15, S/N 29190 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29190
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vista Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 28, 1987
- Departed: S98, KENNEWICK, WA
- Destination: S98
- Airport: S98, Vista Field, runway 2, 3,490 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,956 total, 11 in this make and model, 3,779 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

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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