# NTSB ANC24LA048: Stinson 108-2, N299C, Bethel, AK, June 1, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 31, 2024, 22:15 local (Jun 1, 2024, 06:15 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK · 19R - Coordinates: 60.781786, -161.83522 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7818&lon=-161.8352&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - 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): 194438 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194438/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194438 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA048 ## Probable cause The uncertificated pilot’s decision to fly an unairworthy airplane and his failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a landing gear collapse. Contributing was the failure of the right main landing gear oleo strut. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail gear strut/axle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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) ## Analysis The uncertificated pilot reported that while on a cross-country flight in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, he stopped along the way for fuel, and during that landing, he noticed that the right main landing gear felt “mushy.” However, he elected to depart and continue the flight to the destination airport. While landing on the dry, paved runway, which required a correction for strong, gusting crosswind conditions, the left main landing gear wheel touched down first, then the right main landing gear wheel touched down. The pilot said as the weight of the airplane transferred to the right main landing gear, the right oleo strut “mushed out.” The airplane subsequently ground looped to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that before leaving on the accident flight, he had observed red fluid leaking from the right landing gear oleo strut assembly, and that the airplane had not flown for most of the year. A review of maintenance records revealed the last annual inspection of the airplane was nine years prior to the accident. According to FAA records, the pilot did not possess a pilot’s certificate. Other than the leaking oleo strut, the pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N299C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N299C), registered now, S/N 108-3299, 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: 108-3299 - Year built: 1947 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 2015 - Departed: Wasilla, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: BET, Bethel, runway 01L/19R, 6,400 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; medical: unknown; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 13 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: ABE ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194438. 181 MB in all. - Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18069625&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 180 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18064570&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 882 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17345183&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.