# NTSB CHI05LA013: Stinson 108-2, N425C, Indian River, MI, October 21, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 2004, 16:27 local (20:27 UTC) - Place: Indian River, MI - Coordinates: 45.408332, -84.599998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4083&lon=-84.6000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60443/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA013 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing encountered by the pilot and the airplane's low altitude at the time engine power was lost. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude - low (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot seriously injured during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power on initial climb after takeoff. The pilot reported that he took off and reached an altitude of approximately 800 feet above ground level (agl) when the engine lost power completely. In order to avoid an urban area and interstate highway ahead, he elected to make a 180-degree turn and return to the airport. The pilot reported that after the turn the aircraft was not in a proper position to land on the runway. The aircraft landed on the airport and came to rest inverted approximately 560 feet from the runway. A post-accident examination did not reveal any anomalies associated with a pre-impact failure. ## Factual narrative On October 21, 2004, about 1627 eastern daylight time, a Stinson 108-2, N425C, piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff at the Calvin Campbell Municipal Airport (Y65), Indian River, Michigan. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The intended destination was Cheboygan County Airport (SLH), Cheboygan, Michigan. In his written statement, the pilot reported that he took off from runway 28 (3,006 feet by 50 feet, asphalt) and reached approximately 800 feet above ground level (agl) when the engine lost power completely. In order to avoid an urban area and interstate highway ahead, he elected to make a 180-degree turn and return to the airport. The pilot reported that after the turn the aircraft was not in a position to land on the runway. The aircraft landed on the airport and came to rest inverted approximately 560 feet from the runway. A post-accident examination did not reveal any anomalies associated with a pre-impact failure. Engine continuity was confirmed and no gearbox damage was observed. Compression was present at all cylinders. The magnetos produced a spark when rotated. Fuel was sprayed into the carburetor when the throttle linkage was actuated. Throttle and carburetor heat continuity was intact. The temperature and dew point recorded by the Cheboygan County Airport (SLH) Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), at 1635, were 11 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius, respectively. SLH was located approximately 15 miles north of Y65. Data obtained from Transport Canada indicated that serious carburetor icing was possible at any power setting under those conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N425C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N425C), registered now, S/N 108-3425, 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: 108-3425 - Airframe hours: 2160 - Engines: Franklin 6A4165 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2004, 25 hours before - Departed: Y65, Indian River, MI - Destination: SLH, Cheboygan, MI - Airport: Y65, Calvin Campbell Muni, runway 28, 3,006 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 197 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: SLH, 15 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 20041021029549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041021029549A), Oct 21, 2004: Univar 1082, Indian River, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) The subject aircraft enroute from cheboygen airport and landed at Indian River airport. The pilot took off from Indian River airport at 15:00 hours from… 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.