# NTSB DEN00LA068: Stinson 108-2, N442C, Las Cruces, NM, March 24, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 2000, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.260143, -106.820175 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2601&lon=-106.8202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48882 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48882/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA068 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop/swerve. Factors were a burnt and unseated intake valve, and the tail wind. ## 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 - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - engine assembly,valve,intake - burned (contributing factor) - engine assembly,valve,intake - open (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot said that shortly after he took off from runway 26, he felt the engine was not developing enough power, so he made a 180 degree turn and landed on runway 8 with an estimated tailwind velocity of 5 knots. He said he failed to maintain directional control and the airplane skidded to the left and off the runway, bending the right rear spar. The engine was later disassembled and examined. The no. 6 intake valve was found burnt and was not seating properly. The mechanic told the pilot this condition would account for the loss of power. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 2000, approximately 1030 mountain standard time, a [Universal] Stinson 108-2, N442C, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a precautionary landing at Las Cruces International Airport, Las Cruces, New Mexico. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had just originated. The pilot said that shortly after he took off from runway 26, he felt the engine was not developing enough power, so he made a 180 degree turn and landed on runway 8 with an estimated tailwind velocity of 5 knots. "[During] rollout, I failed to maintain directional control and, as a result, the airplane skidded to the left," he wrote. "When I departed the asphalt, the right wheel dug in to soft soil and tipped the left wing up and the right wing down, which bent the rear spar." The engine was later disassembled and examined. The no. 6 intake valve was found burnt and was not seating properly. The mechanic told the pilot this condition would account for the loss of power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N442C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N442C), registered now, S/N 108-3442, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-2 - Registry model: [Universal Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230416) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-3442 - Airframe hours: 2231 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul E. Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1999, 79 hours before - Departed: LRU - Destination: LRU - Airport: LRU, Las Cruces International, runway 8, 6,073 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 683 total, 638 in this make and model, 646 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 20000324010359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000324010359A), Mar 24, 2000: Univar 1082, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) Back page missing from 8020-23. Will contact the inspector. (.4) the pilot said that shortly after he took off from runway 26, he felt the engine was not… ## Other investigations on N442C (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 CHI76FEI27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEI27), Apr 7, 1976: Univ Acft 108-2 (N442C), Thompson, 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. --- 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.