# NTSB ANC25LA036: Stinson 108, N9308K, North Pole, AK, April 25, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 25, 2025, 03:00 local (11:00 UTC) - Place: North Pole, AK - Coordinates: 64.710847, -147.19166 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7108&lon=-147.1917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 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): 200094 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200094/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200094 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA036 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree. Contributing to the accident was his impairment from the effects of alcohol consumption. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Impairment/incapacitation: alcohol](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md?model=9230416), [All aircraft, 87 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=9230416), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=9230416), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=9230416), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9230416), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed an unknown airstrip and made an emergency landing at a US Army airfield. The left wing strut was substantially damaged and consistent with an impact with a tree. The pilot was uncooperative with first responders and smelled of alcohol and appeared to be under the influence. A police officer found an open container of alcohol in the airplane and transported the pilot to the hospital. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9308K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9308K), registered now, S/N 108-2308 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108 - Registry model: [Universal Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230416) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2308 - Engines: Franklin reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3 ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: AEI, 3 nm away - METAR: PAEI 251055Z 34004KT 10SM OVC095 02/M05 A2975 RMK AO2A SLP081 T00171055 ## 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 20250425005629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250425005629A), Apr 25, 2025: Universal Stinson 108-2, North Pole, AK, Substantial damage. Per pilot statement, the flight departed from an unknown airfield on elelson farm road. At approximately 0130 local time, the pilot made an undeclared… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200094. 1.3 MB in all. - FAA inspector's statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18785642&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=20250425_Record_of_Telephone_Conversation_LT%20Fett%20(002)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18785725&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.