# NTSB ERA10LA111: Stinson 108, N97223, Bayport, NY, January 9, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 9, 2010, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Bayport, NY - Coordinates: 40.758609, -73.053611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7586&lon=-73.0536&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 17, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75255 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75255/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75255 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA111 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that during cruise flight at approximately 600 feet, the engine began to run rough. He applied the carburetor heat and the engine cleared up briefly, before losing power again. The pilot subsequently made a forced landing on a shoreline and the airplane came to rest inverted. Examination of the engine revealed that when the main fuel gascolator was removed, debris was discovered in the bottom of the bowl. The filter was removed and also contained debris. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Additionally, the engine was not susceptible to carburetor icing, given the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On January 9, 2010, at 1255 eastern standard time, a Stinson 108, N97223, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise, near Bayport, New York. The private pilot and passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged during the subsequent forced landing. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from Bayport Aerodrome (23N), Bayport, New York, at 1240. The private pilot stated that during cruise flight at approximately 600 feet, the engine began to run rough. He said that he applied carburetor heat and subsequently the engine cleared up; therefore, he decided to disengage the carburetor heat. When he did this, the engine again began to run rough again and lose power. The engine never regained full power although the pilot re-engaged the carburetor heat. The pilot subsequently made a forced landing on a shoreline and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane landed in water on a shoreline. The airframe was buckled and the airplane nosed over inverted into 3 feet of salt water. The airframe and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. Twenty gallons of fuel was defueled from the fuel tanks. The fuel was a mixture of aviation and automotive gasoline. The main fuel gascolator was removed, and debris was discovered in the bottom of the bowl. The carburetor inlet filter was removed and also contained debris. The current ambient temperature was 28 degrees Fahrenheit, with a dew point of 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Review of the icing probability chart revealed the airplane was not flown in conditions conducive to carburetor icing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97223](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97223), registered now, S/N 108-223, built 1946 (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: 108-223 - Airframe hours: 1550 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4150 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Olson Robert B - Registered owner: Olson Robert B - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2009, 20 hours before - Departed: 23N, Bayport, NY - Destination: 23N, Bayport, NY - Airport: 23N, Bayport Aerodrome ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: ISP, 10 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 20100109044579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100109044579A), Jan 9, 2010: Stinson 108, Sayville, NY, Substantial damage. Weather at the time of the event was VFR. The temperature was approximately -5 degrees celsius with a dew point of -13. The barometer was 30.02. The aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75255. 771 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 429 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Mechanic Inspection Notes (item 2, .PDF, 292 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324233&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Mechanic%20Inspection%20Notes-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF 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.