# NTSB ANC96LA048: Stinson 108-3, N6443M, Soldotna, AK, March 30, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 1996, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Soldotna, AK - Coordinates: 60.319126, -150.789749 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3191&lon=-150.7897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2820 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2820/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA048 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. The gusty/crosswind condition was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi - from landing ## Analysis The pilot landed a tundra tire and tail-wheel equipped airplane in a westerly direction and was slowing to begin taxiing to a parking area. At about that time, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right and went off the right side of the runway. The airplane received damage to the left wing tip, fuselage, and the left main gear attach point. The pilot estimated the wind was from the north at 16 gusting 22 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 1996, about 1530 Alaska standard time, a tundra tire equipped Stinson 108-3, N6443M, ground looped while taxiing from landing at the Soldotna airport, Soldotna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed Lake Clark, Alaska, about 1315. The pilot reported that he landed on runway 25 and was slowing to begin taxiing to a parking spot. A gust of wind from the right produced a ground loop and the airplane slid off the right side of the runway. The pilot initially reported minor damage to the left wing. Further inspection on April 17, 1996, confirmed structural damage to the fuselage at the left main gear attach point. At 1546, a surface observation at Kenai, Alaska, 8 miles northwest of the accident site was reporting, in part: Sky conditions and ceiling, clear; visibility, 70 miles; temperature, 40 degrees F; dew point, 34 degrees F; wind, 020 degrees at 13 knots; altimeter, 30.27 inHg. After landing, the pilot estimated the winds from the north at 16 knots with gusts to 22 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6443M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6443M-2018-02-20), registration cancelled 2018-02-20, S/N 108-4443, built 1948 (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: 108-4443 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas K. Gotcher - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LAKE CLARK, AK - Destination: SXQ - Airport: SXQ, Soldotna, runway 25, 4,973 × 130 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 60 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 13 knots - Visibility: 70 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ENA, 8 nm away ## 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 19960330009079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960330009079A), Mar 30, 1996: Univar 1083, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. Reported wind gust near end landing roll caused ground loop. Slid off runway. Wing damaged. Crosswind. Large tail. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.