# NTSB DEN03LA036: Stinson 108-2, N9335K, Elbert, CO, January 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 25, 2003, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Elbert, CO - Coordinates: 38.991664, -104.64167 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9917&lon=-104.6417&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56408 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56408/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56408 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA036 ## Probable cause the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control resulting in the ground loop. Factors relating to the accident were the crosswinds and the wind gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was practicing touch and go landings in the traffic pattern. As he was performing a full stop landing on runway 35, he caught a gust of wind which raised the right wing approximately 20 to 30 degrees. The pilot attempted to level the wings but could not. The airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the ground causing substantial damage to the left outboard wing. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. Wind conditions on the airport at the time of the accident were 040 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative On January 25, 2003, at 1145 mountain standard time, a Stinson 108-2, N9335K, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it ground looped during landing at the Kelly Airpark, Elbert, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at 1115. In his written statement, the pilot reported that he had been flying in the traffic pattern practicing touch and go landings. He was performing a full stop landing on runway 35 when he caught a gust of wind which raised the right wing approximately 20 to 30 degrees. The pilot attempted to level the wings but could not. The airplane ground looped to the right and the left wing struck the ground. An examination of the airplane showed the outboard six ribs of the left wing and wing tip were bent aft and upward. The wing skin in this area was wrinkled. The left main landing gear was bent aft. The fuselage skin at the landing gear leg root was wrinkled. The left main landing gear wheel cover and fairing were bent aft. The bottom cowling was bent to the right. One of the propeller blades was bent aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. At 1149, the wind conditions reported at the Elbert Mountain, Colorado, Automated Weather Observation System, located on the airfield, were 040 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 17 knots. At the time of the accident, the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, Airfield, 250 degrees from the accident site at 7 nautical miles, reported a peak gust of 27 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9335K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9335K), registered now, S/N 108-2335, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-2 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1082335 - Airframe hours: 2693.8 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bruce R. Carter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 2002, 63.7 hours before - Departed: C)15, Elbert, CO - Airport: CO15, Kelly Air Park, runway 35, 3,800 × 24 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 13, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 612 total, 19 in this make and model, 532 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: MNH, 1 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 20030125001559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030125001559A), Jan 25, 2003: Univar 1082, Elbert, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC ground looped his aircraft in gusty wind conditions. Damage to propeller, left main wheel cowling, intake cowling, lower hinge of left cabin door,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56408. 685 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40177837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40177844&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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.