# NTSB ANC95LA007: Stinson 108-2, N97821, Palmer, AK, October 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1994, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.619228, -148.979644 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6192&lon=-148.9796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA007

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN THE LANDING AREA WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING A TUNDRA TIRE EQUIPPED AIRPLANE ON A GLACIER TO PICK UP HUNTING EQUIPMENT.  THIS WAS A RETURN FLIGHT TO AN AREA WHERE THE PILOT HAD LANDED PREVIOUSLY.  UPON LANDING, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT 6 TO 8 INCHES OF NEW SNOW WAS COVERING THE LANDING AREA.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On October 19, 1994, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Stinson, 108-2 airplane, N97821, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed over during landing at the base of the Marcus Baker Glacier located near Palmer, Alaska.  The personal flight departed Birchwood, Alaska, and the destination was the accident site.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

According to the pilot, he was returning to the site to pick up some hunting gear.  He stated that upon landing he realized that there was at least 6 to 8 inches of new snow on the landing area.  His tire size was 900 X 6.  During the landing roll the airplane nosed over onto its back.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N97821 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-2-1124
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Desselle, Lester J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Z15, BIRCHWOOD, AK
- Destination: M.BAKER GLACIER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 430 total, 260 in this make and model, 415 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °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 19941019049059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941019049059A), Oct 19, 1994: Univar 1082, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was landing a tundra tire equipped airplane on a glacier to pick up hunting equipment. This was a return flight to an area where the pilot had…

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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