# NTSB CHI01LA333: Stinson 108-3, N653C, Duluth, MN, September 28, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 27, 2001, 19:00 local (Sep 28, 2001, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Duluth, MN - Coordinates: 46.740592, -92.049041 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7406&lon=-92.0490&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 4, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis, Minnesota FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53739 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53739/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA333 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors were the crosswind and the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane nosed over after departing the runway on landing. The pilot said in his written statement, "I came from a nearby airport, Aitkin and came to land at Sky Harbor. Crosswinds are always an issue at Sky Harbor. On the end of the roll out, the plane went off runway on to sand. Although this is not uncommon, this sand was soft and the front tires sunk into the sand stopping the plane instantly. It went over...." The pilot also stated that the accident, "...could have been avoided by flying to superior to avoid this crosswind, or being better at landing in crosswinds." A weather station located about 10 miles from the accident site recorded the wind as 90 degrees at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 2001, about 1900 central daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N653C, piloted by an uncertificated pilot, sustained substantial damage during landing on runway 14 (3,050 feet by 75 feet, asphalt), at the Sky Harbor Airport, Duluth, Minnesota. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not on a flight plan and was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No injuries were reported by the pilot or his two passengers. The flight originated from the Aitkin Municipal-Steve Kurtz Field Airport at 1830. The pilot said in his written statement, "I came from a nearby airport, Aitkin and came to land at Sky Harbor. Crosswinds are always an issue at Sky Harbor. On the end of the roll out, the plane went off runway on to sand. Although this is not uncommon, this sand was soft and the front tires sunk into the sand stopping the plane instantly. It went over...." The pilot also stated that the accident, "...could have been avoided by flying to superior to avoid this crosswind, or being better at landing in crosswinds." According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot surendered his private pilot certificate on January 30,1996. A weather station located about 10 miles from the accident site recorded the wind as 90 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N653C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N653C-2018-03-28), registration cancelled 2018-03-28, S/N 108-3653, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-3 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-3653 - Airframe hours: 2240 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary L. Guptill - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2001 - Departed: AIT, AITKIN, MN - Destination: D36, Duluth, MN - Airport: D36, Sky Harbor, runway 14, 3,050 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 122 total, 80 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: DLH, 10 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 20010927029289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010927029289A), Sep 27, 2001: Univar 1083, Duluth, MN, No damage. (-23) On October 9, 2001, accident was reported to msp FSDO through other sources. On September 27, 2001 at approximately 1900 hours (CST) N653C ground looped… ## Other investigations on N653C (2) 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 CHI96LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA085), Jan 26, 1996: Stinson 108-3 (N653C), Sandstone, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's selection of an ice-covered runway for takeoff. A factor was the icy runway. - [NTSB MKC65F0130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC65F0130), Mar 21, 1965: Stinson 108-3 (N653C), St Paul, MN, substantial damage 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.