# NTSB ANC90LA140: Stinson 108-1, N8708K, Fareweel, AK, August 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1990, 16:30 local (Aug 9, 1990, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Fareweel, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920265, -159.489135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9203&lon=-159.4891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5425
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5425/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA140

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TAKEOFF DOWNWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE FLEW FOR ABOUT 600 FEET THEN SETTLED DOWN INTO THE BUSHES. HE ATTRIBUTED THIS TO A GUSTY 10-15 KNOT TAILWIND. THE AVAILABLE TAKEOFF AREA WAS ABOUT 500 FEET LONG. THE PILOT'S LAST BFR WAS IN 1981, AND FAA MEDICAL WAS IN 1984.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8708K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8708K-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 108-1708, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Registry model: [Universal Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-1708
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Don Virgil Puckett
- Registered owner: Don Puckett
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: expired; flight hours: 300 total, 68 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900808033269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900808033269A), Aug 8, 1990: Univar 1081, Farewell, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to depart gravel bar downhill and downwind. Settled back into bushes at end of short gravel strip.

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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