CEN17LA023

NTSB accident investigation · Stinson 108 · Austin, TX · October 18, 2016

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
October 18, 2016, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
Place
Austin, TX
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N97634Stinson 108
Defining event
Landing: Loss of control on ground
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report September 14, 2020
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Central Region
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20161018017639A
Case key
94259

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.

Findings · 2

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotStinson 108: 7 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Wind: gustsEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcomeStinson 108: 1 caseAll aircraft: 1,199 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot was attempting to land the airplane after a cross-country flight. The pilot reported that he experienced difficulty controlling the airplane on the first attempted landing and conducted a go-around. During the second approach, the wind sheared at altitude, and the pilot had control problems. When the airplane touched down, he applied the left brake while pulling completely aft on the flight control yoke. The airplane rolled left, and the left wing struck the runway. The airplane subsequently nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage. The wind was recorded from 200° at 14 kts with gusts to 18 kts. It is likely the pilot did not maintain directional control during the landing with gusting wind conditions.

Factual narrative

***This report was modified on August 20, 2020. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** On October 18, 2016, about 1020 central daylight time, a Stinson 108 airplane, N97634, was involved in an accident at Austin Executive Airport (EDC), Austin, Texas. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the accident reported that the pilot was flying the airplane from Zuehl Airport, near Marion, Texas, to EDC. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he experienced difficulty controlling the airplane on the first attempted landing and he conducted a go around. The pilot stated that during the second approach, the wind sheared at altitude and caused control problems. When the airplane touched down the pilot applied the left brake and pulled completely aft on the flight control yoke. The airplane rolled left and the left wing struck the runway and the airplane nosed over. An outboard section of the left wing and aileron were bent. The pilot was sent a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident report form to complete twice and the NTSB has not received a completed report as of the date this report was published.

Aircraft

Registration
N97634
Reported as
Stinson 108 (UNDESIGNAT)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
108-634
Built
1946
Engine
Franklin 6A4150 SERIES, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
1TE4 · Marion, TX
Destination
EDC · Austin, TX
Airport
EDC · Austin Executive, runway 16, 1,550 × 25 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
35
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 1, Without waivers/limitations
Flight hours
140 total · 80 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
200° at 14 knots, gusting 18
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
1,900 ft overcast
Temperature
113 °F, dew point 109 °F
Altimeter
29.92 inHg
Observed at
KEDC

Docket · 6

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 18, 2020, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.1 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N97634 · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.