# NTSB ANC20CA063: Stinson 108, N6252M, Nikolai, AK, July 2, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 1, 2020, 16:30 local (Jul 2, 2020, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Nikolai, AK - Coordinates: 62.553054, -153.38194 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.5531&lon=-153.3819&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 101525 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101525/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101525 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA063 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to depart from an unsuitable off-airport surface which resulted in a departure area excursion and impact with trees. ## 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 108-3, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was departing a remote off-airport landing site in his tailwheel-equipped airplane. After assessing the physical site, which was sloped on both ends and the current weather conditions, he selected a takeoff direction and a takeoff abort point. During the departure roll, the airplane failed to accelerate past 40 knots, exited the departure area and impacted brush and trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot listed several ways that the accident could have been prevented which included a more accurate assessment of the departure site, the establishment of a more prominent takeoff abort speed/point, or if he had been more proficient in aborted takeoffs. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was departing a remote off-airport landing site in his tailwheel-equipped airplane. After assessing the physical site, which was sloped on both ends and the current weather conditions, he selected a takeoff direction and a takeoff abort point. During the departure roll, the airplane failed to accelerate past 40 knots, exited the departure area and impacted brush and trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot listed several ways that the accident could have been prevented which included a more accurate assessment of the departure site, the establishment of a more prominent takeoff abort speed/point, or if he had been more proficient in aborted takeoffs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6252M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6252M), registered now, S/N 108-4252, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108 (3) - Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-4252 - Year built: 1948 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2020 - Departed: Nikolai, AK - Destination: Palmer, AK - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 6, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,700 total, 368 in this make and model, 754 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg ## 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 20200701005359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200701005359A), Jul 1, 2020: Stinson 108-3, Tin Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft failed to obtain takeoff speed and struck trees at end of bush strip. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 10, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101525. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486803&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.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.