# NTSB CHI82DA272: Stinson 108-1, N97904, Laporte, IN, July 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1982, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Laporte, IN
- Coordinates: 41.599723, -86.709632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5997&lon=-86.7096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA272

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT/MECHANIC WAS PREPARING TO MAKE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FLIGHT TESTING THE PLANE TO FIND DEFECTS WHEN ENGINE STOPPAGE OCCURRED. WHILE LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD. THE LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE LEFT GEAR DUG INTO THE SOIL AND COLLAPSED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. THE RIGHT TANK STILL CONTAINED ABOUT 13 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE OWNER HAD NOT ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGES WERE NOT READING CORRECTLY. HE REPORTED THAT THE GAUGES INDICATED 3/4 FULL WHEN HE INITIALLY TOOK OFF AND THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER A SHORT TIME LATER. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT HE FORGOT TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS AFTER HE LOST ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97904](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97904), registered now, S/N 108-1842 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108904
- Airframe hours: 1805
- Engines: FRANKLIN 64A-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Robert R. Swank
- Registered owner: Charles Verhostra
- Departed: LAPORTE, IN
- Destination: LAPORTE, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,881 total, 50 in this make and model, 3,766 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820724031619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820724031619A), Jul 24, 1982: Univar 1081, La Porte, IN, Substantial damage. During test flight pilot switched fuel tanks and engine stopped. Pilot did not switch back and crash occurred.

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.

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