# NTSB CEN10CA214: Stinson 108-2, N988D, Dexter, MO, April 17, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 17, 2010, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Dexter, MO - Coordinates: 36.96389, -89.997222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9639&lon=-89.9972&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75811 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75811/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75811 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA214 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he flew the airplane earlier on the same day as the accident on a 75 mile flight. The pilot stated that before the return flight, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane including taking fuel samples to check for water or contaminants. None were found. The pilot further stated that he performed engine pre-takeoff checks including magneto and carburetor heat checks prior to departure. The airplane took off and climbed to 3,000 feet. After about 5 minutes the engine began running rough and he switched fuel tanks and applied carburetor heat. No improvement in engine operation was noted. The pilot then turned the airplane toward terrain more suitable for landing. The engine stopped making power and the pilot executed a forced landing. During the landing, he applied brakes with the yoke fully aft and the airplane's tail would raise. He released the brakes to allow the tail to lower. The pilot repeatedly applied and released the brakes attempting to stop the airplane, but the airplane nosed over and came to rest on its top. Examination of the engine after the accident revealed that the aluminum intake tubing had split outward and was fully compromised. The engine was examined and spark was produced on all magneto leads and valve action was verified on all cylinders. One cylinder produced little compression when the engine was rotated. All other cylinders produced compression and suction when the engine was rotated. The cylinder with low compression was removed and examined but no defects were found. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he flew the airplane earlier on the same day as the accident on a 75 mile flight. The pilot stated that before the return flight, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane including taking fuel samples to check for water or contaminants. None were found. The pilot further stated that he performed engine pre-takeoff checks including magneto and carburetor heat checks prior to departure. The airplane took off and climbed to 3,000 feet. After about 5 minutes the engine began running rough and he switched fuel tanks and applied carburetor heat. No improvement in engine operation was noted. The pilot then turned the airplane toward terrain more suitable for landing. The engine stopped making power and the pilot executed a forced landing. During the landing, the pilot applied brakes with the yoke fully aft and the airplane's tail would raise. The pilot released the brakes to allow the tail to lower. The pilot repeatedly applied and released the brakes attempting to stop the airplane, but the airplane nosed over and came to rest on its top. Examination of the engine after the accident revealed that the aluminum intake tubing had split outward and was fully compromised. The engine was examined and spark was produced on all magneto leads and valve action was verified on all cylinders. One cylinder produced little compression when the engine was rotated. All other cylinders produced compression and suction when the engine was rotated. The cylinder with low compression was removed and examined but no defects were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N988D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N988D-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 108-2988, 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: 108-2988 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4165 SERIES 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DXE, Dexter, MO - Destination: K02, Perryville, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,393 total, 59 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KPOF, 18 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 20100417005029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100417005029A), Apr 17, 2010: Stinson 108-2, Dexter, MO, Substantial damage. Aircraft engine lost power in cruise flight. During landing roll out on a forced landing into a cultivated field the pilot applied brakes and the aircraft… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75811. 284 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 284 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330034&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-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.