# NTSB CHI99LA294: Stinson 108-3, N4072C, Johnson Creek, WI, August 15, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1999, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Johnson Creek, WI
- Coordinates: 43.069282, -88.770339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0693&lon=-88.7703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA294
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47070/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA294

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot made a three-point landing between, '...rows of tall corn - approximately 10' high.'  The pilot reported that during the landing rollout, he noticed the left wing contacting the corn.  The pilot stated that he applied right rudder but the airplane continued to track within the rows of corn.  The pilot reported that the airplane subsequently veered into the cornfield, nosed over, and came to rest in an inverted position. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-accident anomalies with the airplane and its control systems.

## Factual narrative

On July 15, 1999, at 1645 central daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N4072C, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an on-ground collision with terrain while landing at a private airstrip (1,900 feet by 45 feet, dry/grass) near Johnson Creek, Wisconsin.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan.  The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries.  The flight departed the Palmyra Municipal Airport, Palmyra, Wisconsin, at 1625.

According to the pilot's written statement, he made a three-point landing between, "...rows of tall corn - approximately 10' high."  The pilot reported that during the landing rollout he noticed the left wing contacting the corn.  The pilot stated that he applied right rudder, but the airplane continued to track within the rows of corn.  The pilot reported that the airplane subsequently veered into the cornfield, nosed over, coming to rest in an inverted position.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-accident anomalies with the airplane and its control systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4072C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4072C), registered now, S/N 108-5072, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Stinson 108-3
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5072
- Airframe hours: 4821
- Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Wayne Zewiske
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1999, 17 hours before
- Departed: 88C, PALMYRA, WI
- Destination: PVT, WI
- Airport: PVT, Illgen Airstrip, runway 18, 1,900 × 45 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,629 total, 995 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 25 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 19990815012109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990815012109A), Aug 15, 1999: Univar 1083, Johnson Creek, WI, Substantial damage. Acft landed on a farm strip, the left wing struck corn plants, and the acft ground looped. (.19) on July 15, 1999, at 1645 central daylight time, a Stinson…

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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