# NTSB CEN13LA091: Stinson 108-2, N8775K, Halfway, MO, December 5, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 5, 2012, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Halfway, MO - Coordinates: 37.616664, -93.239997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6167&lon=-93.2400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85755/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85755 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA091 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly maintain the airplane and engine, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to improperly installed magnetos and a broken camshaft. ## 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) - [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: 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) ## Analysis The private pilot said the airplane was in cruise flight when the engine made an unusual grinding noise and then stopped producing power. The pilot made a forced landing to a field. During the emergency descent, the airplane struck a power line with the left main landing gear and landed hard. Examination of the engine revealed that the magnetos were not properly secured to the engine and that the camshaft was broken. A review of the engine maintenance logbook revealed the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed in January 2008, almost 5 years before the accident. ## Factual narrative On December 5, 2012, at 1300 central standard time, a Stinson 108, N8775K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field following a loss of engine power near Halfway, Missouri. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Eads Ridge Airport (MO68), Fair Grove, Missouri, at 1240.A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector interviewed the pilot and examined the airplane. According to the inspector, the pilot had been airborne for approximately 20 minutes when the engine began to make an unusual grinding noise followed by a loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to make a forced landing to a field and struck a powerline with the left main landing gear. The airplane landed hard, resulting in substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and an engine mount. The left main landing gear and propeller were also damaged. Examination of the engine revealed the magnetos were not properly secured to the engine and were loose. When the magnetos were removed, the inspector could visually see that the camshaft was broken. A review of the engine maintenance logbooks revealed the airplane's last annual inspection was January 8, 2008. The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land. His last FAA third class medical was issued on March 4, 2009, and his last biennial flight review was on August 31, 2008. The pilot reported a total of 761 hours; of which 437 hours were in the accident airplane. He stated that he had flown the airplane approximately 3 hours in the last 90 days and was trying to prepare for a biennial flight review when the accident occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8775K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8775K-2018-09-14), registration cancelled 2018-09-14, S/N 108-2357, 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: 108-2357 - Airframe hours: 1271 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4165 SERIES 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Huff Mike W - Registered owner: Huff Mike W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 2008 - Departed: MO68, Fair Grove, MO - Destination: M17, Bolivar, MO - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 761 total, 437 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F - Observed at: None ## 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 20121205028279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121205028279A), Dec 5, 2012: Stinson 108-2, Bolivar, MO, Substantial damage. During cruise flight near Bolivar, MO, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing in a field. On approach to the field, the aircraft contacted… ## Other investigations on N8775K (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC93LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA070), Apr 6, 1993: Stinson 108-2 (N8775K), Norridgewock, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT AT THE CONTROLS FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR PROVIDED INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE PILOT AT THE CONTROLS HAD NO… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85755. 460 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 389 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399036&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-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.