# NTSB DEN90FA182: Stinson 108-1, N8631K, Gallup, NM, September 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1990, 14:59 local (20:59 UTC)
- Place: Gallup, NM
- Coordinates: 35.519161, -108.729598 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5192&lon=-108.7296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA182

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLING HIS AIRCRAFT AT AN INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO EFFECT A RECOVERY. A FACTOR WAS HIGH DENSITY ATTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF. IN ADDITION, THE AIRCRAFT WAS WITHIN 25 POUNDS OF MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED CLIMBING TO ABOUT 100 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT THEN BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE, ENTERED A STEEP BANK, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 9,100 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8631K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8631K-1991-06-18), registration cancelled 1991-06-18, S/N 1081631 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-3381
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcdonald, Rick L.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: INW, WINSLOW, AZ
- Airport: CUP, Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 481 total, 447 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: GUP, 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 19900908038459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900908038459A), Sep 8, 1990: Univar 1081, Gallup, NM, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Unable to climb after takeoff due to full load and 9100 feet density altitude. Began a turn. Stalled and burned.

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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