# NTSB SEA92LA004: Piper PA28-140, N55841, Renton, WA, October 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1991, 10:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Renton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.460746, -122.209678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4607&lon=-122.2097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA004

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CFI AND HIS STUDENT WERE ON INITIAL CLIMBOUT WHEN THEY EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS.  THEY TURNED BACK TOWARD THE FIELD IN ORDER TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, BUT A SUBSEQUENT TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CAUSED A FORCED LANDING IN A LAKE ONE-HALF MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  THE ENGINE, WHICH LATER OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A TEST RUN, DISPLAYED NO APPARENT PRE-IMPACT DEFECTS, ABNOMALITIES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55841](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55841-1991-11-26), registration cancelled 1991-11-26, S/N 287325501 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7325501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas A. Robinette
- Registered owner: Thomas A. Robinette

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 732 total, 50 in this make and model, 652 as pilot in command, 156 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °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 19911010045659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911010045659A), Oct 10, 1991: Piper PA28140, Renton, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Ditched in lake and sank. Engine ran normal after accident.

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.