# NTSB ANC24LA097: Stinson 108-3, N691E, Lime Village, AK, September 14, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 13, 2024, 20:00 local (Sep 14, 2024, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Lime Village, AK · Treed vegetation next to lake - Coordinates: 61.390167, -154.46566 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3902&lon=-154.4657&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 195178 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195178/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195178 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA097 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing in tree-covered terrain. ## 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) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Misc hardware](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after departure in a float-equipped airplane from a remote lake, and as the airplane climbed to about 150 ft above ground level, all engine power was lost. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the reserve tank. The engine momentarily regain power but after about 15 seconds the engine again lost all power. The pilot conducted a forced landing into tree-covered terrain, during which both wings and the empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot’s postaccident examination revealed the reserve fuel tank was leaking fuel, and the fuel tanks contained no usable fuel. After the accident, the pilot reported he was trying to fly with minimum fuel to conserve weight, and he could have had more fuel onboard. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N691E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N691E), registered now, S/N 1085047 (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: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1085047 - Airframe hours: 4302 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 2024 - Departed: 2AK, Lime Village, AK - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 805 total, 750 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: PASV, 37 nm away - METAR: PASV 140355Z AUTO VRB01KT 10SM CLR 09/04 A2985 RMK AO2 SLP115 T00910043 ## 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 20240913017949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240913017949A), Sep 13, 2024: Stinson 108-3, Lime Village, AK, Substantial damage. Departure from unnamed lake climbing to approximately 150 feet above the ground, engine lost power. Pilot moved fuel selector lever from the right (primary)… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195178. 8.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 7.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17718362&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA097%20NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18817035&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA097%20photos-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.