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NTSB Report
September 29, 1988 · Piper PA-28-160 · N5896W
Renton, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 29, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Renton, WA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-160
Tail Number
N5896W
Operator
Larry Dillon
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA88LA193
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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:36 PDT
Nearest AirportRenton Municipal (0nm N)
Runway33
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-160
Tail NumberN5896W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLarry Dillon
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO