# NTSB CEN25LA243: Stinson 108, N97577, Seguin, TX, July 8, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 8, 2025, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Seguin, TX - Coordinates: 29.495662, -98.158637 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4957&lon=-98.1586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 30, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200495 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200495/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200495 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA243 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to turn off the magneto switch before repositioning the propeller by hand which resulted in an inadvertent engine start. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md) ## Analysis After refueling the airplane, the engine failed to start after two attempts, and the pilot elected to reposition the propeller by hand. The magneto switch was left in the ON position, and the engine inadvertently started which resulted in a serious injury to the pilot’s arm. The unoccupied airplane then collided with a large metal sign and came to rest upright. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97577](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97577), registered now, S/N 108-577, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108 - 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: 108-577 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2113.3 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 2025 - Airport: 1TE4, Zuehl - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review August 6, 2024; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 2,423 total, 754 in this make and model, 2,373 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KRND, 6 nm away - METAR: KRND 090055Z AUTO 14008KT 10SM CLR 27/22 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP171 T02730222= ## 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 20250708009339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250708009339A), Jul 8, 2025: Stinson 108, Marion, TX, Minor damage. On July 8, 2025, at approximately 1810 CDT, aircraft [privacy data omitted] was involved in an accident while being prepared for flight from Zuehl Airport… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200495. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19422731&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20P_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA form 8020-23 mor (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19422929&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20MOR-Rel.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.