# NTSB CHI83LA189: Stinson 108-2, N9703K, Greencastle, IN, April 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1983, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Greencastle, IN
- Coordinates: 39.640544, -86.840286 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6405&lon=-86.8403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA189

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED POWER LOSS AT ABOUT 300 FEET AGL AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT LANDED IN A CORNFIELD AFTER ATTEMPTING A RESTART OF THE ENGINE. THE PILOT HAD PUT 5 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT IN PREPARATION FOR A TEST FLIGHT. HE TAXIED FOR TAKEOFF ON THE NEARLY EMPTY LEFT TANK INTENDING TO SWITCH TO RIGHT TANK BEFORE TAKEOFF.HE TOLD A WITNESS AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE FORGOT TO SWITCH TANKS BEFORE THE ENGINE QUIT. AFTER ENGINE STOPPAGE, HE CHANGED TANKS, BUT COULD NOT GET A RESTART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9703K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9703K-1984-05-26), registration cancelled 1984-05-26, S/N 108-2703 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-2703
- Airframe hours: 2640
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Cecil C. And Vera L. English
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: 417, GREENCASTLE, IN
- Airport: 417, Greencastle, runway 36, 3,200 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 454 total, 387 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830425016209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830425016209A), Apr 25, 1983: Univar 1082, Greencastle, IN, Destroyed. Crash occurred just after takeoff during emergency landing. Pilot had selected empty tank.

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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