# Accident 20160908015099A: Stinson L-5, San Antonio, TX, September 8, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 8, 2016, 18:29 local time
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Airport: Stinson
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.3389° N, 98.4700° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3389&lon=-98.4700&mi=10
- Aircraft: N178, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N178-2018-01-23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Stinson L-5 (registry code 8630202, https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-l-5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-435 (registry code 41516, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON L-5
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 5,832 total, 5 in this make and model, 63 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16CA481](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA481) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160908015099A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

1) DESCRIPTION: THE PILOT OF STINSON L-5 , REGISTERED AS N178, WAS CONDUCTING PROFICIENCY FLIGHTS AT KSSF (STINSON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT). WINDS WERE 160/09 WITH SOME SLIGHTLY HIGHER GUSTS. HE MADE A NORMAL APPROACH AND WHEEL LANDING ON RUNWAY 14 AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO SLOW BEFORE LOWERING THE TAIL. ONCE ALL THREE WHEELS WERE ON THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO VEER RIGHT INTO THE CROSS WIND. THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT FULL RUDDER AND BRAKE BUT THE AIRCRAFT VEERED FURTHER RIGHT IN A GROUND LOOP, WITH THE LEFT WING AND ELEVATOR CONTACTING THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT CONTINUED TO BRAKE AS THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RIGHT EDGE OF RUNWAY 14 AND NOSED OVER INTO THE DIRT BETWEEN RUNWAYS 14 AND 09. ONCE THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED, THE PILOT SECURED THE FUEL AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHES AND ASSISTED THE PASSENGER AS THEY BOTH EXITED THE AIRCRAFT. THE DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT INCLUDED BROKEN OUTER SPARS IN THE LEFT WING, FABRIC DAMAGE TO THE LEFT ELEVATOR, AND ROTATIONAL DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A SLIGHT WRIST INJURY FROM BRACING HIMSELF ON THE COCKPIT CROSSBAR LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR SEATS. THE PILOT HAD THE APPROPRIATE TAILWHEEL SIGNOFF AND WAS CURRENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14 CFR 61.31, 61.57, AND 61.56.

2) CAUSAL OR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: SEE BLOCK 43

3) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SYSTEMIC ACTION TO REDUCE RISK OF FUTURE OCCURENCE: ENCOURAGE CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS/INSTRUCTORS TO CONDUCT THOROUGH CHECKOUTS IN ALL TAILWHEEL AIRCRAFT AS EACH IS DIFFERENT AND HAS UNIQUE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS

4) COMMENTS: SEE BLOCK 43

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

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.

- [NTSB GAA16CA481](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA481), Sep 8, 2016: Stinson L 5 (N178), San Antonio, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

## Other reports on N178 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20140815016999I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140815016999I), Aug 15, 2014: Stinson L-5 (N178), Hondo, TX, Minor damage. Upon the first landing of an instructional flight for a commemorative air force aircraft check-out, the aircraft veered left and ground looped. The outboard…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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