# NTSB ANC92LA059: Stinson 108-1, N97421, Mccarthy, AK, April 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1992, 16:45 local (Apr 8, 1992, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Mccarthy, AK
- Coordinates: 55.919906, -159.490173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9199&lon=-159.4902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA059

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SNOW BERM AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION (SKI EQUIPPED AIRPLANES).

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE PLOWED HALF OF THE RUNWAY THE RIGHT SKI CONTACTED THE EDGE OF THE SNOW BERM, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO GROUND LOOP. THE PILOT STATED THAT IN RETROSPECT SHE SHOULD HAVE LANDED ON THE UNPLOWED HALF OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97421](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97421), registered now, S/N 108-421, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Registry model: [Universal Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108) (registry code 9230412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-421
- Airframe hours: 1741
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elaine B. Base
- Registered owner: Elaine B. Base
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1991
- Departed: GKN, GULKANA, AK
- Airport: 15Z, Mccarthy Nr2, runway 1, 3,400 × 44 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 170 total, 56 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 18 °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 19920407009309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920407009309A), Apr 7, 1992: Univar 1081, Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage. Hard landing on plowed portion of runway. Ground looped into unplowed part of runway.

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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