# NTSB ANC25LA058: Stinson 108-8, N97438, Alexander Creek, AK, June 25, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 25, 2025, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Alexander Creek, AK - Coordinates: 61.421067, -150.58583 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4211&lon=-150.5858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2025 - 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): 200420 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200420/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200420 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA058 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s encounter with a downdraft that led to a rapid loss of altitude. ## 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, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on final approach to a remote airstrip surrounded by trees, the airplane encountered a downdraft and began a rapid descent. He attempted to recover by increasing throttle and applying aft elevator input. However, the airplane impacted the ground at a flat, nose-level attitude and subsequently nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, right wing lift strut, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97438](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97438), registered now, S/N 108-438, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108-8 - Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-438 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 4483 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-03 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 2025 - Departed: BCV, Birchwood, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: None, Roy's Strip, runway none, 1,300 × 60 ft, gravel - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 236.1 total, 220.1 in this make and model, 2.5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.71 inHg - Observed at: ABV, 31 nm away - METAR: PABV 252056Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT065 BKN085 16/09 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP061 T01610094 55005 ## 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 20250625014909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250625014909A), Jun 25, 2025: Stinson 108, Alexander Creek, AK, Substantial damage. The airplane landed heavy causing it to nose over and come to a rest upside down. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200420. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19040719&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA058%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 576 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19040911&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA058%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.