# NTSB ANC98LA117: Stinson 108-1, N8835K, Delta Junction, AK, August 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1998, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Delta Junction, AK - Coordinates: 63.699222, -144.890579 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6992&lon=-144.8906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43643 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43643/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA117 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. Factors associated with the accident were willow trees, and rising terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The certificated airline transport pilot was attempting a southwesterly departure from a 750 feet long dry creek bed. He stated that during the takeoff roll, and about 700 feet down the creek bed, he applied 25 degrees of flaps. The airplane became airborne, but failed to gain sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. The airplane's right wing collided with a stand of trees, pivoting the airplane to the right, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane's wings, and lower left longeron sustained substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1998, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Stinson 108-1 airplane, N8835K, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from an off airport site located about 70 miles southwest of Delta Junction, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated airline transport pilot, and the one passenger aboard were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was returning to Delta Junction, where it had departed on August 3. In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot noted that he was attempting a southwesterly departure from a 750 feet long dry creek bed. He stated that during the takeoff roll, and about 700 feet down the creek bed, he applied 25 degrees of flaps. He said that the airplane became airborne, but failed to gain sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. The airplane's right wing collided with a stand of trees, pivoting the airplane to the right, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane's wings, and lower left longeron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the wind conditions at the time of the accident were light and variable, favoring a southwesterly departure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8835K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8835K), registered now, S/N 108-1835, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-1 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-1835 - Airframe hours: 2140 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth Albert Couch - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 1997, 50 hours before - Destination: D66, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 85 in this make and model, 15,400 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 99 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19980805019779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980805019779A), Aug 5, 1998: Univar 1081, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on takeoff. (.4) on August 5, 1998, about 1030 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Stinson 108-1 airplane, N8835K, sustained substantial damage… 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.