# NTSB ANC99LA156: Stinson 108, N97713, Sparrevohn, AK, September 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 1999, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Sparrevohn, AK - Coordinates: 61.809471, -161.440994 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8095&lon=-161.4410&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47685 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47685/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA156 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors in the accident were a gusting crosswind, and high vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was departing a remote ridge top at the end of a hunting trip. The wind was from the east about 5 knots. He loaded the airplane with moose and caribou meat, and departed the ridge top toward the east. During the takeoff roll, an approximate 20 knot gust of wind struck the airplane from the right. The airplane was pushed to the left, and the left wing struck some bushes. The airplane pivoted to the left and descended downhill. After the airplane came to rest, it caught fire, and was destroyed. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 1999, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Stinson 108 airplane, N97713, was destroyed by impact and a postimpact fire, when the airplane crashed on takeoff from a remote area, about 10 miles south of the Sparrevohn Long Range Radar Station (LRRS), Sparrevohn, Alaska, about latitude 60 degrees, 55 minutes north, and longitude 155 degrees, 35 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Iliamna, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on October 13, 1999, at 0905, the pilot reported he and two friends landed on a remote ridge top to go hunting. At the completion of the trip, he loaded the airplane with moose and caribou meat, and planned to fly to Iliamna. The pilot said he departed the ridge top toward the east. During the takeoff roll, an approximate 20 knot gust of wind struck the airplane from the right. The airplane was pushed to the left, and the left wing struck some bushes. The airplane pivoted to the left and descended downhill. After the airplane came to rest, it caught fire, and was destroyed. The pilot and his two friends hiked out of the area, and arrived at the Sparrevohn LRRS two days later. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97713](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97713-2000-05-05), registration cancelled 2000-05-05, S/N 108-713 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108 - Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-713 - Airframe hours: 1978 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bruce C. Junes - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1999, 9 hours before - Destination: PAIL, ILIAMNA, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 207 total, 150 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °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 19990920029139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990920029139A), Sep 20, 1999: Univar 108, Sparrevohn, AK, Destroyed. (.19) On September 20, 1999, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Stinson 108 airplane, N97713, was destroyed by impact and a postimpact… 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.