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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 9, 1986 · Cessna 172N · N738XX

Renton, WA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 9, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Renton, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N738XX
Operator
Flight Tech
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA86FA054

THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS ENGAGED IN PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. SOMETIME AFTER THE SECOND APPROACH THE THROTTLE CONTROL ROD BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE THROTTLE CABLE AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RETARD THE THROTTLE FROM A FULL POWER CONDITION. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT BACK TOWARDS THE AIRPORT IN A HIGH SPEED, CLEAN, DESCENDING PROFILE AND OVERSHOT THE FINAL APPROACH EVENTUALLY COLLIDING WITH TREES AND A FENCE SLIGHTLY NORTHWEST OF MIDFIELD. THERE WAS NO APPARENT ATTEMPT BY THE PILOT TO EXECUTE THE STUCK THROTTLE PROCEDURES WHICH HER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED TO HER WHILE UNDER TRAINING.

Full Narrative

THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS ENGAGED IN PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. SOMETIME AFTER THE SECOND APPROACH THE THROTTLE CONTROL ROD BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE THROTTLE CABLE AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RETARD THE THROTTLE FROM A FULL POWER CONDITION. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT BACK TOWARDS THE AIRPORT IN A HIGH SPEED, CLEAN, DESCENDING PROFILE AND OVERSHOT THE FINAL APPROACH EVENTUALLY COLLIDING WITH TREES AND A FENCE SLIGHTLY NORTHWEST OF MIDFIELD. THERE WAS NO APPARENT ATTEMPT BY THE PILOT TO EXECUTE THE STUCK THROTTLE PROCEDURES WHICH HER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED TO HER WHILE UNDER TRAINING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 PST
Nearest AirportRenton Municipal (0nm N)
Runway12
Runway Length5379 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN738XX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFlight Tech
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:49
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data