# NTSB ANC89FA084: Stinson 108-2, N9642K, Wasilla, AK, June 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1989, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5110
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5110/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA084

## Probable cause

PILOT FAILED TO OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT WITHIN ITS RECOMMENDED PARAMETERS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A STALL-SPIN INTO THE WATER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM THE WATER, THIS PRIVATE PILOT EXECUTED A LOW ALTITUDE STEEP LEFT TURN WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL-SPIN INTO THE LAKE. NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATED PRE-ACCIDENT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL, ENGINE, OR AIRFRAME WERE NOTED. NO MEDICAL FACTORS WERE IDENTIFIED WHICH COULD BE CONSIDERED CASUAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9642K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-2642
- Airframe hours: 5401
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-MCR 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dubin, Alan N.
- Registered owner: Alan N. Dubin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1989, 32 hours before
- Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, Lake Lucille

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 501 total, 268 in this make and model, 452 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19890603014069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890603014069A), Jun 3, 1989: Univar STC108, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Made tight turn after water takeoff and dived into lake. May have turned wrong way towards shore and tightened turn

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.

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