# NTSB SEA91LA215: Cessna 172N, N738ET, Everett, WA, August 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1991, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Everett, WA
- Coordinates: 47.889019, -122.249557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8890&lon=-122.2496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA215

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE TAXIWAY MARKER'S LACK OF FRANGIBILITY DUE TO ITS CONSTRUCTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,taxiway marking - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER HE APPLIED POWER TO TAKEOFF FROM A TOUCH AND GO LANDING, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TAXIWAY INFORMATIONAL SIGN.  THE AIRCRAFT INCURRED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE SIGN, WHICH WAS LOCATED AT THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY SAFETY AREA, SUSTAINED ONLY MINIMAL DAMAGE.  THE FOUR BY FOUR SUPPORTS, WHICH HAD BEEN CROSS DRILLED BY AIRPORT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, FAILED TO BREAK AWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N738ET (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269926
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Morcom Aviation Services, Inc., doing business as Regal Air
- Registered owner: Morcom Aviation Services, Inc.
- Airport: PAE, Snohomish County, runway 34R, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 15 total, 15 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910820062289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910820062289A), Aug 20, 1991: Cessna 172N, Everett, WA, Substantial damage. Student lost control on power application for touch and go. Struck taxiway sign on liftoff. Damaged stabilizer.

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.