# NTSB CEN17LA023: Stinson 108, N97634, Austin, TX, October 18, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 18, 2016, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Austin, TX - Coordinates: 30.397499, -97.56639 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3975&lon=-97.5664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 14, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 94259 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94259/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94259 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA023 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97634), registered now, S/N 108-634 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-634 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; 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 ## 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 20161018017639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161018017639A), Oct 18, 2016: Stinson 108, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. 1. Description of accident: the accident occurred on 10/18/2016 at Austin executive (kedc). The type of aircraft was a Stinson 108, with a conventional… ## Other investigations on N97634 (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 UNK64X3867](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3867), Sep 7, 1964: Stinson 1081 (N97634), Brownsburg, IN, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 18, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94259. 2.1 MB in all. - Memorandum for Record – Communication Summary -- C Wehrmann FAA (item 1, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Communication%20Summary%20--%20C%20Wehrmann%20FAA-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Pilot Sent 6120 Twice -- No Completed Reports Returned (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Pilot%20Sent%206120%20Twice%20--%20No%20Completed%20Reports%20Returned-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484513&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484514&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 241 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484515&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - CEN17LA023 - Factual Revision (item 6, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CEN17LA023%20-%20Factual%20Revision-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.