# NTSB SEA88LA193: Piper PA-28-160, N5896W, Renton, WA, September 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1988, 14:36 local (21:36 UTC)
- Place: Renton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.309417, -122.220451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3094&lon=-122.2205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA193

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - displaced threshold
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS RETURNING FROM A LONG SOLO CROSS COUNTRY. THE RUNWAY WAS UNDERGOING CONSTRUCTION. 2,300 FEET REMAINED FOR LANDING. LANDING NEEDED TO BE ACCOMPLISHED OVER BARRIERS. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD APPROACH FLAPS SET. THE TOWER ASKED THE PILOT TO MAKE A HIGH APPROACH. THE PILOT THEN ADDED FULL FLAPS. A HIGH RATE OF SINK DEVELOPED. A HARD BOUNCED LANDING THEN OCCURRED. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY AND CONTINUED UNTIL IT STRUCK A RIVER THAT PARALLELED THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EFFECTIVE LEFT RUDDER OR LEFT BRAKE AVAILABLE. FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS INSPECTED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE AIRCRAFT, BUT COULD FIND NO REASON FOR LOSS OF LEFT RUDDER CONTROL OR LEFT BRAKING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5896W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5896W-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 28-2685, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2685
- Airframe hours: 2036
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Dillon
- Registered owner: Larry Dillon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 3, 1988
- Departed: S47, TILLAMOOK, OR
- Destination: RTN, RENTON, WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: RNT, Renton Municipal, runway 33, 2,300 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 33 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19880929044509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880929044509A), Sep 29, 1988: Piper PA28160, Renton, WA, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing, lost control on second bounce. Veered off runway into a river. Blamed brakes. No defects found.

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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