# NTSB DEN85LA209: Stinson 108-1, N8976K, Superior, MT, August 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1985, 20:45 local (Aug 5, 1985, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Superior, MT
- Coordinates: 47.050617, -114.970054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0506&lon=-114.9701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16740/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA209

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil line - burned (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - burst (cause)
  - fluid,oil - loss,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING WITH HIS WIFE ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT TO IDAHO WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING INTO THE CABIN. ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WENT TO ZERO. THE PLT SECURED THE ENGINE AND MADE A FORCED LANDING TO A FARMER'S FIELD. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED; HOWEVER, THE PLT AND HIS WIFE WERE NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8976K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1081076
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4150 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Edward Rooks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MSO, MISSOULA, MT
- Destination: COE, COEUR D'ALENE, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 460 total, 424 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSO, 60 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 19850804040719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850804040719A), Aug 4, 1985: Univar 1081, Superior, MT, Substantial damage. Cabin filled with smoke and oil pressure was lost. Struck a ditch in a field and nosed over. Oil line had ruptured.

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.