# NTSB DEN88LA164: Stinson 108, N97395, Lordsburg, NM, July 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1988, 18:02 local (Jul 31, 1988, 00:02 UTC)
- Place: Lordsburg, NM
- Coordinates: 32.339508, -108.700981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3395&lon=-108.7010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA164

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF THE PLANE SWERVED TO THE LT AND THE PLT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. ON THE SECOND TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE AGAIN SWERVED LT AND DEPARTED THE RWY. THE PLANE ENTERED LOOSE SAND OFF THE LT SIDE OF THE RWY AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD MADE 10 TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS IN THIS AIRPLANE. THE PLT SAID THAT HE FELT THE TAILWHEEL HAD STUCK OFF CENTER. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97395](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97395-2019-03-16), registration cancelled 2019-03-16, S/N 108-395 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108
- Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108395
- Airframe hours: 1450
- Engines: FRANKLIN 150 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ward, Rodney G.
- Registered owner: Rodney G Ward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: LSB
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LSB, Lordsburg Municipal, runway 30, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,250 total, 7 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °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 19880731028639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880731028639A), Jul 31, 1988: Univar 1081, Lordsburg, NM, Substantial damage. Veered off runway and nosed over during second takeoff attempt. Blamed cocked tail wheel. No defects found.

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.