# NTSB ANC10CA010: Stinson 108-1, N136SP, Selawik, AK, December 18, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 18, 2009, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Selawik, AK
- Coordinates: 66.333335, -160.333328
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.3333&lon=-160.3333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 6, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA FSDO-01
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75186/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75186
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA010

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing, resulting in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)
- [Ceiling/visibility/precip: whiteout](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035060/cases.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035060/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot was on a personal cross-country flight when he encountered whiteout conditions; he then reversed course to return to the departure airport. He reported that the visibility continued to diminish and he elected to land the ski-equipped airplane on a frozen, snow-covered lake. He said that the airplane landed hard on the uneven terrain, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the terrain. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident and that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, personal cross-country flight. The pilot said en route to his destination he encountered whiteout conditions, and he reversed course to return to the departure airport. He reported that the visibility continued to diminish, and he elected to land the ski-equipped airplane on a frozen, snow-covered lake. He said the airplane landed hard on the uneven terrain, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the terrain. The pilot said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident, and that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N136SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N136SP), registered now, S/N 108-931, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-931
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4150 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roger Hunington
- Registered owner: Roger Hunington
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PASK, Selawik, AK
- Destination: PABL, Buckland, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 2 statute miles

## 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 20091218053039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091218053039A), Dec 18, 2009: Univar 1081, Selawik, AK, Substantial damage. While operating to the Selawik Airport the pilot encountered white-out conditions. The pilot attempted to land on a frozen lake impacting the lake damaging the…

## Other investigations on N136SP (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 ANC10CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA051), Jun 8, 2010: Stinson 108-1 (N136SP), Galena, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, resulting in a ground-loop, and collapse of the right main landing gear.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75186. 38 KB in all.

- Record of Conversation (item 1, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326009&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Redacted.PDF

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.