# NTSB CHI88LA191: Stinson 108-1, N97797, St. Charles, MI, August 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1988, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: St. Charles, MI
- Coordinates: 43.289039, -84.139778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2890&lon=-84.1398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA191

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT FAILED TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB-OUT AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES LOCATED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE PRIVATE GRASS STRIP. THE AIRCRAFT FELL TO THE GROUND, WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE TEMPERATURE REPORTED BY THE OBSERVATION FACILITY AT SAGINAW, MICHIGAN (APPROXIMATELY 15 NM NORTHEAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE) AT ABOUT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 96 DEGREES. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY WAITING UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN BEFORE DEPARTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97797](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97797-1992-06-24), registration cancelled 1992-06-24, S/N 108797 (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: 108-797
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wend, Eugene T.
- Registered owner: Wend, Eugene T
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 18, 2,650 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 18 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 14 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 19880804030239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880804030239A), Aug 4, 1988: Univar 1081, St Charles, MI, Destroyed. Settled into trees on climbout from a short Private strip. Temperature was 96 degrees. Misjudged acft performance.

## Other investigations on N97797 (1)

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 CHI69D0239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69D0239), Aug 3, 1968: Stinson 108-1 (N97797), Fremont, OH, 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.

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