# NTSB ANC12CA104: Stinson 108-2, N9723K, Nikiski, AK, September 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 8, 2012, 20:15 local (Sep 9, 2012, 04:15 UTC) - Place: Nikiski, AK - Coordinates: 60.9225, -150.733612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9225&lon=-150.7336&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85027 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85027/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85027 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA104 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing surface, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a tidal beach. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear contacted soft sand, which pulled the nose of the airplane to the right. The airplane continued to the right and hit a bluff, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a tidal beach. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear contacted soft sand, which pulled the nose of the airplane to the right. The airplane continued to the right, and hit a bluff, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9723K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9723K), registered now, S/N 108-2723, 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 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-2723 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4150 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2012 - Departed: PAHO, Homer, AK - Destination: Nikiski, AK - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 13, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 482 total, 250 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: PAEN, 10 nm away ## 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 20120908020059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120908020059A), Sep 8, 2012: Stinson 108-2, Nikiski, AK, Minor damage. On a cross country flight from homer, AK to merrill field, anchorage, AK:about 2 miles south of moose point, the airman who was acting pilot in command of a… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85027. 732 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 732 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.