# NTSB SEA96LA105: Cessna 140, N72344, Puyallup, WA, May 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1996, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Puyallup, WA - Coordinates: 47.189376, -122.330848 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1894&lon=-122.3308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42376 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42376/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA105 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain runway alignment during a go-around. The pilot's improper flare for landing was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a landing attempt, the airplane bounced hard two times, and she decided to go around. She reported that in the go-around attempt, she retracted the flaps from full down to full up and added power. The aircraft then veered left and crashed in scotch broom to the left of the runway. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1996, at approximately 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N72344, sustained substantial damage during an attempted go-around after bouncing during landing on runway 16 at Pierce County-Thun Field, Puyallup, Washington. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR 91 flight from Auburn, Washington. The pilot reported: "...I bounced quite hard, bounced quite hard a second time and decided to go around. I gave full throttle and shot off towards the trees to the side. The next thing I knew, I was in the trees." An FAA inspector who responded to the scene reported that the pilot bounced twice on landing before the aircraft veered left off the runway and went into an area of "scotch broom." The inspector reported that the pilot told her she had retracted the flaps from full down to full up and added power immediately prior to the loss of control. The FAA inspector also reported that the aircraft's carburetor heat control was in the "on" position. Puyallup runway 16 is 3,650 feet long and 60 feet wide. Winds at McChord Air Force Base, 8 nautical miles west of Thun Field, were reported from 260 degrees magnetic at 4 knots at 1155. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72344](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72344), registered now, S/N 9528, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9528 - Airframe hours: 2253 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Trudith A. Kong - Registered owner: Trudith A. Kong/Donald Connell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1995, 64 hours before - Departed: S50, AUBURN, WA - Airport: 1S0, Pierce County-Thun Field, runway 16, 3,650 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 193 total, 30 in this make and model, 132 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 4 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TCM, 8 nm away ## 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 19960531012349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960531012349A), May 31, 1996: Cessna 140, Puyallup, WA, Substantial damage. Bounced hard landing. Elected go around. Dumped flaps carb heat on. Veered into trees. 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.