# NTSB ANC92LA033: Stinson 108-2, N905D, Cube Cove, AK, February 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1992, 09:07 local (13:07 UTC)
- Place: Cube Cove, AK
- Location: 57.9350° N, 134.7111° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cube Cove, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.9350&lon=-134.7111&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA033

## Probable cause

THE ENCOUNTER OF WINDSHEAR DURING THE FINAL APPROACH AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS BY ELECTING TO LAND DOWNWIND. FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS MAKING ITS FINAL APPROACH TO THE SOUTH OVER HIGH TERRAIN WHICH SLOPED DOWNWARD AND TOWARD THE AIRSTRIP, TO A POINT BELOW THE ELEVATION OF THE AIRSTRIP.  THE TERRAIN DESCENDED TO ITS LOWEST POINT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET FROM THE THRESHOLD AND THEN ROSE UPWARD TOWARD THE AIRSTRIP.  THE WIND WAS BLOWING FROM THE NORTH AT 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 20 KNOTS.  WITNESSES STATED THEY FELT OCCASIONAL HIGHER GUSTS.  AFTER MAKING THREE TO FOUR PASSES AND CIRCLES AROUND THE AIRSTRIP THE AIRPLANE'S FINAL APPROACH PATH WAS DOWNWIND AND DOWNHILL.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND, A CLEAR CUT AREA, APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET SHORT AND 200 FEET TO THE WEST OF THE CENTER LINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N905D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N905D-1992-06-26), registration cancelled 1992-06-26, S/N 1082905 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-2905
- Airframe hours: 2955
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: George W. Mcneven
- Registered owner: George W. Mcneven
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1991, 56 hours before
- Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Cube Cove, runway 18, 2,500 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,600 total, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °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 19920209002259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920209002259A), Feb 9, 1992: Univar 1082, Cube Cove, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Extreme turbulence on approach and downwind cause impact in stumps west of runway alignment. Precarious strip.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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