# NTSB ANC01LA104: Stinson 108-2, N8090K, Palmer, AK, August 10, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 2001, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.302223, -148.569168
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3022&lon=-148.5692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 15, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA, Anchorage Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53215/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA104

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for an off-airport landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s)

## Analysis

The pilot related he was landing at an off-airport site.  During the landing roll, the left main tire struck a rock, damaging the tire and rim, as well as the adjacent fuselage structure.

## Factual narrative

On August 10, 2001, about 1315 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Stinson 108-2 airplane, N8090K, received substantial damage while landing at an off-airport site on the Knik glacier, located about 25 miles southeast of Palmer, Alaska.  The commercial pilot/operator and the three passengers were not injured.  The flight departed Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1215.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 10, the pilot related he was landing the airplane at a site on the glacier that he had landed at several times before.  On the accident flight, he said the left main tire hit a rock which blew the tire, and damaged the landing gear fuselage support structure and the cabin door frame.  The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he did not see the rock prior to impact.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8090K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8090K), registered now, S/N 108-3090, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Stinson 108-2
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-3090
- Airframe hours: 2402
- Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jim C. Walton
- Registered owner: 90K Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 2001, 38 hours before
- Departed: MRI, Anchorage, AK
- Destination: Palmer, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 26, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 2,420 total, 236 in this make and model, 2,305 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20010810036249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010810036249A), Aug 10, 2001: Univar 1082, Palmer, AK, No damage. (-23) On August 10, 2001, about 1330 adt, a wheel-equipped Stinson 108-2, N8090K, received minor damage landing at the foot of the knik glacier. The pilot…

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.

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