# NTSB ERA12CA064: Stinson 108-3, N6263M, Whitefield, NH, November 5, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 5, 2011, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Whitefield, NH - Coordinates: 44.367221, -71.540832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3672&lon=-71.5408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82259 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82259/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82259 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA064 ## Probable cause The student pilot did not maintain directional control during the landing flare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [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 108-3, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot stated that he was conducting solo practice takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the third landing flare, the airplane drifted to the left and bounced on the runway. The pilot applied full engine power to attempt a go-around but realized that the airplane would not clear trees at the end of the runway. The pilot then removed engine power and elected to land in a swamp. Upon touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. ## Factual narrative The student pilot stated that he was conducting solo practice takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the third landing flare, the airplane drifted to the left and bounced on the runway. The pilot applied full engine power to attempt a go-around, but realized that the airplane would not clear trees at the end of the runway. The pilot then removed engine power and elected to land in a swamp. Upon touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who examined the airplane after the accident, reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6263M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6263M), registered now, S/N 108-4263, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108-3 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-4263 - Airframe hours: 3350 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4165 SERIES 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charlie G McMann - Registered owner: Charlie G McMann - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2011 - Departed: HIE, Whitefield, NH - Destination: HIE, Whitefield, NH - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: HIE, Mount Washington Regional, runway 28, 4,002 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: HIE ## 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 20111105025479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111105025479A), Nov 5, 2011: Stinson 108-3, Whitefield, NH, Substantial damage. Very low time student pilot was performing landings and takeoffs at the Mount Washington Regional Airport in Whitefield, NH, (hie), while landing on runway 28… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 31, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82259. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1 (Courtesy FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-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.