# NTSB CHI98LA132: Stinson 108-1, N97876, Tecumseh, MI, April 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 17, 1998, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Tecumseh, MI - Coordinates: 41.999614, -83.939079 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9996&lon=-83.9391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10858 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10858/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA132 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factors were wind gusts and crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that after making a wheel landing. the airplane began to weather vane to the left. He reported applying the right brake at which time the tail began to rise. He stated he did not have enough elevator authority to lower the tail and the propeller contacted the ground. The airplane slid 18 feet on the cowling prior to it nosing over. The landing was made on runway 36 with reported winds, 11 miles away, from 280 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 17, 1998, at 1750 eastern daylight time (edt), a Stinson 108- 1, N97876, operated by an Airline Transport Rated pilot nosed over at the end of a landing roll at the Merillat Airport, Tecumseh, Michigan. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated in Croswell, Michigan. The pilot reported he landed on runway 36 (4,900' x 100') with a gusty wind from the west. He stated he made a wheel landing and "...as the aircraft slowed the right main came down and the aircraft started to weather vane to the west." He reported he applied a little right brake at which time the "...tail came up... ." He reported that he did not have enough elevator authority to lower the tail and the propeller hit the terrain. The pilot reported the airplane slid on the lower cowling for about 18' prior to the airplane nosing over. Wind conditions reported at Adrian, Michigan, 11 miles southwest of the accident site, at 1753 edt, were from 280 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97876](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97876), registered now, S/N 108-876, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-1 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-876 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William C. Schutzler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 34G, CROSWELL, MI - Airport: 34G, Merillat, runway 36, 4,900 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,660 total, 298 in this make and model, 18,665 as pilot in command, 176 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ADG, 11 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 19980417007239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980417007239A), Apr 17, 1998: Univar 1081, Tecumseh, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft nosed over at the end of the landing roll. (.19) on April 17, 1998, at 1750 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Stinson 108- 1, N97876, operated by an… ## Other investigations on N97876 (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 CHI78FEC24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEC24), Apr 2, 1978: Stinson 108-1 (N97876), Pontiac, MI, 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.