# NTSB DEN83LA112: Stinson 108-3, N585C, Buffalo, WY, May 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1983, 17:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, WY
- Coordinates: 44.339397, -106.710342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3394&lon=-106.7103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16075
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16075/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA112

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF ON RWY 30 WITH A LEFT X-WIND FROM 210 DEG AT 25, GUSTING 30 KTS. AT APRX 45 MPH, AFTER HE HAD RAISED THE TAIL OF THE ACFT INTO THE TAKEOFF ATTITUDE, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED & THE ACFT WEATHERVANED TO THE LEFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RIGHT WING TIP HIT THE RWY, THE PROPELLER CONTACTED SOD BESIDE THE RWY, AND REPORTEDLY, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT SAID THERE WAS A SMALL THUNDERSTORM APRX 2 MI AWAY, APPROACHING THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N585C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N585C-1996-03-12), registration cancelled 1996-03-12, S/N 1083585 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-3
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1083585
- Airframe hours: 3239
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jackson J. Payer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1983
- Destination: 1S3, FORSYTH, MT
- Airport: BYG, Buffalo Muni, runway 30, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 174 total, 156 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BYG

## 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 19830515019369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830515019369A), May 15, 1983: Univar 1083, Buffalo, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to take off in crosswind that exceeded airplane capabilities. Lost directional control and crashed.

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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