Probable cause
The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain directional control and his overapplication of right rudder and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the landing, which resulted in a ground-loop.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after landing, the airplane veered left. In an attempt to correct back to centerline, the pilot receiving instruction applied full right rudder. The instructor immediately applied full left rudder and brake to prevent a ground-loop, but the airplane ground looped to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The instructor reported that a Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane's systems and found no anomalies.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 3 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 34.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA313 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 4, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Renton, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Renton Muni (RNT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 150
- N-number
- N8685S
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1965
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.