# NTSB CEN13CA412: Universal Stinson 108-1, N855F, Hector, MN, July 14, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2013, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Hector, MN - Coordinates: 44.731109, -94.714721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7311&lon=-94.7147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87480 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA412 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87480/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87480 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA412 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent application of the brakes and failure to main directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=9230414), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230414), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, at about 50 knots, the airplane began to drift to the left. The pilot stated that as the airplane drifted to the left, she inadvertently tapped on the right brake, and then released the brake while adding right ailerons inputs. Corrections were made to maneuver the airplane back to the runway centerline. The right wingtip was lowered and impacted the ground 2 or 3 times. She continued to apply inputs to the right rudder pedal. The airplane nosed-over and sustained substantial damage to both wing spars and the vertical stabilizer. The second pilot stated that he didn’t know why the airplane responded as it did and was unsure if there were any malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. He estimated the wind to be from the left at 5 knots. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. As the pilot was making continuous rudder pedal inputs, it is likely that she inadvertently applied the brakes. ## Factual narrative During the takeoff roll, at about 50 knots, the airplane began to drift to the left. The pilot stated that as the airplane drifted to the left, she inadvertently tapped on the right brake, and then released the brake while adding right ailerons inputs. Corrections were made to maneuver the airplane back to the runway centerline. The right wingtip was lowered and impacted the ground 2 or 3 times. She continued to apply inputs to the right rudder pedal. The airplane nosed-over and sustained substantial damage to both wing spars and the vertical stabilizer. The second pilot stated that he didn’t know why the airplane responded as it did and was unsure if there were any malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. He estimated the wind to be from the left at 5 knots. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N855F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N855F), registered now, S/N 108-1519, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: UNIVERSAL STINSON 108-1 - Registry model: [Universal Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-1519 - Airframe hours: 2232 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4150 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mark S Erickson - Registered owner: Mark S Erickson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2013 - Departed: KFCM, Eden Praire, MN - Destination: 1D6, Hector, MN - Airport: 1D6, Hector Municipal Airport, runway 23, 2,580 × 165 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 29, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 83 total, 0 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 72; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 19, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 14,925 total, 127 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KOVL, 14 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 20130714013399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130714013399A), Jul 14, 2013: Universal Stinson 108-1, Hector, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot lined up for departure from runway 23 at the Hector, MN airport (1D6). She applied one notch of flaps as she was going to perform a soft field takeoff… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 5, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87480. 917 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 674 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397230&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot, copilot, and airport manager (item 2, .PDF, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot,%20copilot,%20and%20airport%20manager-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397231&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-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.