# NTSB ATL02LA037: Consolidated-Vultee 108-M, N9315K, Bayou La Batre, AL, January 13, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 13, 2002, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Bayou La Batre, AL - Coordinates: 30.454721, -88.210556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4547&lon=-88.2106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54052 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54052/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54052 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA037 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - wire,static ## Analysis A Stinson 108M, experienced a loss of engine power on the initial takeoff/climb from Roy E. Ray Airport in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. According to the pilot, the engine lost power at 400 feet above the ground during the climb out. The pilot executed a left turn and collided with power lines approximately 35 above ground. The airplane came to rest in a nearby ditch about 400 feet from the end of the departure runway 36. ## Factual narrative On January 13, 2002, at 1700 central standard time, a Stinson 108M, N9315K, experienced a loss of engine power on the initial takeoff/climb from Roy E. Ray Airport in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. The airplane, registered to Consolidated-Vultee, was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91. The personal flight was enroute from Bayou La Batre, Alabama to St. Elmo, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were 20 gallons of fuel on board at takeoff. According to the pilot, the engine lost power at 400 feet above the ground during the climb out. The pilot stated that he established glide at 65-70mph and attempted an engine restart unsuccessfully. The pilot executed a left turn and collided with power lines approximately 35 above ground. The airplane subsequently came to rest in a nearby ditch about 400 feet from the end of the departure runway 36. A review of weather data showed conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor icing; the temperature was 57 degrees Fahrenheit and the dew point was 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Tests were performed on both magnetos, they both operated within normal parameters. A functional check of the engine was performed; the power was checked at 2700 rpm and results indicated that the engine ran smoothly at full power and at idle. Oil pressure was normal during the functional check. The functional check of the engine failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9315K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9315K-2006-06-14), registration cancelled 2006-06-14, S/N 108-2315, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Consolidated-Vultee 108-M - 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: 108-2315 - Airframe hours: 1817.2 - Engines: Lycoming 0360A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Lee Murphy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 2001, 86.3 hours before - Departed: 5R7, Bayou La Batre, AL - Destination: 2R5, St. Elmo, AL - Airport: 5R7, Roy E. Ray, runway 5R7, 2,740 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 11, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 486 total, 86 in this make and model, 406 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: BAY, 5 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 20020113001849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020113001849A), Jan 13, 2002: Univar 1082, Bayou La Batre, AL, Substantial damage. (.19) On January 13, 2002, at 1700 central standard time, a Stinson 108M, N9315K, operated by a private pilot, under the provisions of title 14 CFR part 91,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54052. 77 KB in all. - Supplement S (item 1, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40165936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40165937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF 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.