# NTSB ANC90LA030: Stinson 108-3, N551C, Anchorage, AK, January 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1990, 18:06 local (22:06 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219768, -149.849182 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2198&lon=-149.8492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE TO THE RUNWAY ON FINAL APPROACH,  AND FAILED TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT.   FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT  WERE:   DARK NIGHT,  UNFAVORABLE WIND WIND CONDITIONS AND SNOW COVERED TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF AT NIGHT ON A LOCAL PROFICIENCY FLT. HE RPRTD THAT WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO PRACTICE LANDINGS, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE & WIND SHEAR.  DURING THE 2ND LANDING, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN SNOW JUST SHORT OF THE RWY & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N551C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N551C-2019-03-09), registration cancelled 2019-03-09, S/N 108-3551, built 1947 (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: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1083551
- Engines: FRANKLIN 165 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Someville, James
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MRI, Merrill, runway 24, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,513 total, 1,442 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 27 °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 19900119000849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900119000849A), Jan 19, 1990: Univar 1083, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway and overturned.

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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