# NTSB DFW08CA189: Stinson 108-1, N97484, Alliance, NE, July 12, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2008, 19:15 local (Jul 12, 2008, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Alliance, NE - Coordinates: 42.036945, -102.786941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0369&lon=-102.7869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68460 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68460/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA189 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on takeoff. Contributing to the accident was a lack of total experience. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The 67-hour private pilot lost control of the single engine tailwheel airplane on the initial take-off roll on runway 08 during a planned training flight in the traffic pattern. The pilot stated that as the airplane accelerated, the tailwheel raised off the ground, and the airplane began to weather vane to the left. He then reduced engine power in an attempt to abort the takeoff, but the airplane continued to move to the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full right rudder and used differential braking in an attempt to stay on the runway. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and encountered a ditch in the grass. The propeller contacted the ground, abruptly stopped the engine, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. The pilot was not injured and was able to egress unassisted. Winds at the time were reported to be 030 degrees at 18 knots with gusts to 24 knots. ## Factual narrative The 67 hour private pilot lost control of the single engine tail wheel airplane on the initial take-off roll on runway 08 during a planned training flight in the traffic pattern. The pilot stated as the airplane accelerated, the tail wheel raised off the ground, and the airplane began to weather vane to the left. He then reduced engine power in an attempt to abort the take-off but the airplane continued to move to the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full right rudder and used differential braking in an attempt to stay on the runway. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and encountered a ditch in the grass. The propeller contacted the ground, abruptly stopped the engine, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. The pilot was not injured and was able to egress unassisted. Winds at the time were reported to be 030 degrees at 18 knots with gusts to 24 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97484](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97484-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 108-484, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-1 - Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-484 - Engines: Franklin 64A-165-133 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cory L. Huber, doing business as Personal Flight - Registered owner: Last Pass Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2008 - Departed: KAIA, Alliance, NE - Destination: Alliance, NE - Airport: KAIA, Alliance Municipal Airport, runway 08, 6,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 9 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 18 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KAIA ## 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 20080711841049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080711841049A), Jul 11, 2008: Univar 108, Alliance, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 11,2008 at approximately 1915 MST, the pilot of a Stinson 108, N97484, lost control of the aircraft while attempting to depart runway 8 at… 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.