# NTSB ATL90LA143: Stinson 108-1, N9039K, Fort Payne, AL, July 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1990, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Payne, AL
- Coordinates: 34.449687, -85.690048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4497&lon=-85.6900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA143

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A RUNWAY WHICH AFFORDED A TAILWIND, AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, ON RUNWAY 04. A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE TAIL AS THE AIRPLANE SLOWED TO ABOUT 25 TO 30 MPH. HE REPORTED THE WIND AS LIGHT & VARIABLE WITH GUSTS OF UNKNOWN VELOCITY. WEATHER REPORTING STATIONS 30 & 20 MILES SW & SE OF THE FIELD REPORTED CALM WINDS & WESTERLY WINDS OF 5 KTS, RESPECTIVELY. IN HIS REPORT, THE PILOT SAID THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY WAITING UNTIL TRAFFIC HAD CLEARED, & LANDED ON RUNWAY 22. AN FAA INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT HOLD THE ELEVATOR CONTROL FULLY AFT DURING THE END OF THE LANDING ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9039K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9039K), registered now, S/N 108-2039, 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: 108-2039
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150B3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Williams, J. Fred
- Departed: 25A, WEAVER, AL
- Destination: 4A9
- Airport: 4A9, Isbell Field, runway 4, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 356 total, 16 in this make and model, 314 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RMG, 20 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 19900715025899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900715025899A), Jul 15, 1990: Univar 1081, Fort Payne, AL, Substantial damage. Nosed over on last part of landing roll. Blamed wind gust but wind near calm. Low time in tail dragger.

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.

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