# NTSB CEN09CA473: Stinson 108, N192C, Gardner, KS, July 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2009, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Gardner, KS - Coordinates: 38.806945, -94.956108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8069&lon=-94.9561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74395 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA473 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74395/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74395 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA473 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure that the fuel selector valve was set properly in its detent prior to takeoff, resulting in fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane lost engine power shortly after takeoff at a height of approximately 300 feet above the ground. He attempted a forced landing on a mowed, grassy section of airport property. During the landing, the left main gear sank into the muddy turf and separated from the airplane. The airplane skidded for approximately 180-feet resulting in damage to the left wing tip, propeller, right landing gear, and lower longeron on the right side of the fuselage. The pilot sustained minor injuries. He reported that shortly before takeoff, he switched the fuel selector valve to the fullest tank, but that the fuel selector handle did not set properly in its detent, cutting off the flow of fuel to the engine. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the airplane lost engine power shortly after take off at a height of approximately 300 feet above the ground. He attempted a forced landing on a mowed, grassy section of airport property. During the landing, the left main gear sank into the muddy turf and separated from the airplane. The airplane skidded for approximately 180-feet resulting in damage to the left wing tip, propeller, right landing gear, and lower longeron on the right side of the fuselage. The pilot sustained minor injuries. He reported that shortly before takeoff, he switched the fuel selector valve to the fullest tank, but that the fuel selector handle did not set properly in its detent, cutting off the flow of fuel to the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N192C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N192C-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 108-3192, 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: 108-3192 - Airframe hours: 3492 - Engines: Franklin 6A4165B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 9, 2008 - Departed: K34, Gardner, KS - Destination: K34, Gardner, KS - Airport: K34, Gardner Municipal, runway 26, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 12, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,504 total, 1,363 in this make and model, 1,504 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: IXD, 3 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 20090721011569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090721011569A), Jul 21, 2009: Univar 1082, Gardner, KS, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot and sole occupant of the airccraft took off on a local VFR flight from runway 26 at Gardner Municipal Airport (K34) in Gardner, Kansas. On his… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74395. 950 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 950 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.