# NTSB BFO86LA004: Stinson 108-1 Voyager, N8422K, The Plains, VA, October 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1985, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: The Plains, VA
- Location: 38.8622° N, 77.7742° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of The Plains, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8622&lon=-77.7742&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86LA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,mount - cracked (cause)
  - engine assembly - vibration (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING STRAIGHT AND LEVEL AT 3100 FEET MSL, OVER VIRGINIA ROUTE 66 AND ROUTE 245, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE TO THE EXTENT THAT THE PLT THOUGHT THAT IT MIGHT SEPARATE FROM THE AIRFRAME.THE PLT SELECTED A FIELD AND SET UP AN APPROACH. ON FINAL, THE PLT DECIDED THAT THE FIELD WAS UNSUITABLE FOR LANDING. PWR WAS APPLIED AND THE PLT EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE TURN TO AN ALTERNATE FIELD. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HIS AIRSPEED WAS TOO HIGH TO STOP IN THE SECOND FIELD, AND HE TURNED RIGHT ABOUT 45 DEGREES, AIMING FOR A NARROW BREAK IN THE TREE LINE. AFTER SEVERING THREE SMALL TREES, THE ACFTNOSED OVER AND ROTATED TO A STOP, COMING TO REST IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AN ENGINE MOUNT JOINT WASCRACKED IN THE WELD ITSELF, AND MOST OF THE FRACTURE SURFACES APPEARED AS IF A CRACK EXISTED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8422K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8422K-1988-08-11), registration cancelled 1988-08-11, S/N 1081422 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1 VOYAGER (108-1 VOYA)
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-1422
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph Hoover
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: W66, WARRENTON, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 269 total, 6 in this make and model, 133 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 15 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 19851019052749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851019052749A), Oct 19, 1985: Univar 1081, The Plains, VA, Substantial damage. Violent engine vibration. Selected but rejected one area tried another too high hit trees. Engine mount cracked.

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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