SEA99LA052

The student pilot, with a total of 41 hours of flight experience, including 4 hours of solo time, encountered rough air after take off at the Auburn Municipal airport. He then departed the pattern and after about 15 minutes returned and executed an approach to runway 16 reporting that 'the air had become considerably rougher.' This was terminated in a go-around after which he initiated a second approach utilizing less flap extension and a higher power setting/approach speed. The student reported that just prior to touchdown 'a very strong crosswind gust from the east seemed to lift the plane upward and to the right.' Perceiving that he had insufficient runway available for another go-around, he chose to commit to a landing. He reported that 'the aircraft landed very hard and bounced very high.' The aircraft then departed the right side of the runway. Winds at the time of the accident at an airport eight nautical miles north-northwest were northerly at 13 knots. One hour later they were reported as northerly at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots. Winds at the time of the accident at another airport ten nautical miles north were westerly at 18 knots. One hour later they were reported as north-northeasterly at 12 knots with gusts to 22 knots.

On April 15, 1999, approximately 1105 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177, N3564F, registered to and being flown by a student pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard landing and subsequent loss of directional control, while landing at the Auburn Municipal airport, Auburn, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological gusty wind conditions prevailed. The flight, which was a student solo, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the Auburn airport approximately 1045.

The student pilot reported that after taking off and remaining in the pattern at Auburn he "noticed that the air had become considerably rougher" so he departed to the operating area. After about 15 minutes he returned and executed an approach to runway 16. He reported that upon entering the pattern he noted that he "was really getting bounced around" and that "the winds had picked up considerably and seemed to be continuously changing directions."

Dissatisfied with his first approach, he executed a go-around and set up for a second approach utilizing less flap extension and a higher power setting and approach speed.

The student pilot reported that "when I was about to touch down, a very strong crosswind gust from the east seemed to lift the plane upward and to the right." Perceiving that he had insufficient runway available for another go-around, he chose to commit to a landing and "the aircraft landed very hard and bounced very high" and he "had much difficulty trying to maintain directional control as the winds kept tossing [me] around." The aircraft departed the right side of the runway, during which the propeller struck a runway light.

Post crash examination revealed buckling in the forward fuselage and firewall area, as well as jamming of the elevator controls where the aircraft's tail skid had been impacted and forced up into the tailcone area.

Winds at Seattle-Tacoma International airport (eight nautical miles north-northwest of the Auburn airport) at 1056 local time were reported as from 350 degrees magnetic at 13 knots. The winds one hour later were reported as 010 degrees magnetic at 12 knots gusting to 20 knots.

Winds at the Renton airport (ten nautical miles north of the Auburn airport) at 1053 local time were reported as from 290 degrees magnetic at 18 knots. The winds one hour later were reported as 030 degrees magnetic at 12 knots gusting to 22 knots.

The student pilot reported an approximate total of 41 hours of flight time (39 hours in the Cessna 177) of which a total of 4 hours were pilot-in-command (solo).