# NTSB ANC24LA020: Stinson 108, N9041K, Houston, AK, March 15, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 14, 2024, 16:30 local (Mar 15, 2024, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Houston, AK - Coordinates: 61.599924, -149.805 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5999&lon=-149.8050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193974 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193974/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193974 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA020 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that this was his first flight of the season in a ski-equipped airplane, and that he filled one fuel tank with 20 gallons of fuel prior to takeoff. He stated the taxi was difficult due to unfavorable snow conditions, and he had to exit the airplane several times while taxiing. Prior to starting his takeoff run, he was frustrated and performed a mental checklist, not confirming the position of the fuel selector. He departed with the fuel selector on the empty fuel tank and shortly after takeoff, the engine lost total power. The pilot conducted a forced landing into trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and rudder. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9041K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9041K), registered now, S/N 108-2041, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108 - Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-2041 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 4200.7 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 2024 - Destination: Skwetna, AK - Airport: pvt, 9ak7, runway 04, 1,800 × 100 ft, snow - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 9, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,047 total, 1,009 in this make and model, 2,025 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.65 inHg - Observed at: AWS, 7 nm away - METAR: PAWS 141156Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR M09/M11 A2965 RMK AO2 SLP048 T10891106 11006 21089 56009 FZRANO ## 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 20240314003979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240314003979A), Mar 14, 2024: Stinson 108, Houston, AK, Substantial damage. Afternoon of March. 14th 2024 pilot brought aircraft on skis out of hanger to load and fuel for preparation for flight. Pilot fueled right tank only with… ## Other investigations on N9041K (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 OAK72DVA18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DVA18), Sep 5, 1971: Stinson 108-1 (N9041K), Porterville, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193974. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 849 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17002556&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA020_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17018660&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA020%20Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.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.