# NTSB ANC99LA046: Stinson 108-2, N221C, Kenai, AK, April 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 1999, 17:00 local (Apr 14, 1999, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 60.659107, -150.900955 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6591&lon=-150.9010&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46154 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46154/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA046 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor associated with the accident was high winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - snow covered ## Analysis The private pilot departed from the Birchwood Airport, Birchwood, Alaska, about 0930, en route to Port Alsworth via the Lake Clark pass. He said that prior to departing for the return trip, he requested a weather report from two pilots who had just traveled through Lake Clark pass. Both pilots reported that the weather in the pass was good, and that the pass appeared to be open. As the pilot proceeded through the pass and approached the pass exit, he encountered light snow showers, and strong winds. He said that the wind, in excess of 45 knots, made control of the airplane difficult, and he elected to make a precautionary landing in a clearing. He said that as the airplane descended to about 600 feet above the landing area, with full left rudder and full left aileron applied, he was unable to turn the airplane to the left. He then applied right aileron while still applying full left rudder. The next thing the pilot recalls is regaining consciousness after the accident, while laying outside the airplane. The pilot stated: 'There was nothing wrong with the airplane, it was just pilot error.' The airplane collided with snow covered terrain and sustained substantial damage to the wings, and fuselage. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 1999, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a ski equipped Stinson 108-2 airplane, N221C, sustained substantial damage during a precautionary landing at a remote landing site, about 35 miles west of Kenai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Port Alsworth airstrip, about 1600. During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on April 19, the pilot reported that he had departed from the Birchwood Airport, Birchwood, Alaska, about 0930, en route to Port Alsworth via the Lake Clark pass. He said that prior to departing for the return trip, he requested a weather report from two pilots who had just traveled through Lake Clark pass. Both pilots reported that the weather in the pass was good, and that the pass appeared to be open. As the pilot proceeded through the pass and approached the pass exit, he encountered light snow showers, and strong winds. He said that the wind, in excess of 45 knots, made control of the airplane difficult, and he elected to make a precautionary landing in a clearing. He said that as the airplane descended to about 600 feet above the landing area, with full left rudder and full left aileron applied, he was unable to turn the airplane to the left. He then applied right aileron while still applying full left rudder. The next thing the pilot recalls is regaining consciousness after the accident, while laying outside the airplane. The pilot stated: "There was nothing wrong with the airplane, it was just pilot error." The airplane collided with snow covered terrain and sustained substantial damage to the wings, and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N221C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N221C), registered now, S/N 108-3221, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-2 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-3221 - Airframe hours: 2343 - Engines: Franklin 6A4165B3-3191 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Raymond C. Sharp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1999, 7 hours before - Departed: PORT ALSWORTH, AK - Destination: BCV, BIRCHWOOD, AK ## 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: 115 total, 115 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 45 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 12 °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 19990413003299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990413003299A), Apr 13, 1999: Univar 1082, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed under unknown circumstances. (.19) on April 13, 1999, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a ski equipped Stinson 108-2 airplane, N221C, sustained… 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.