# NTSB ERA12CA529: Stinson 108-2, N340C, Winter Haven, FL, August 23, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2012, 17:55 local (21:55 UTC) - Place: Winter Haven, FL - Coordinates: 28.062778, -81.753051 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0628&lon=-81.7531&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 December 11, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84797 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA529 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84797/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84797 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA529 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 108-2, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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 108-2, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230406), [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 108-2, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, shortly after applying takeoff power, he allowed the tail of the airplane to lift off the ground "too early," and the airplane veered to the left into the grass. The airplane subsequently impacted the precision approach path indicator lights. The pilot flew the airplane around the airport traffic pattern and landed uneventfully. A postaccident examination revealed that the aft bulkhead was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, shortly after applying takeoff power he allowed the tail of the airplane to lift off the ground "too early" and the airplane veered to the left into the grass. The airplane, subsequently, impacted the precision approach path indicator lights with the underside of the airplane. He flew the airplane around the airport traffic pattern and landed uneventfully. A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the aft bulkhead was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N340C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N340C), registered now, S/N 108-3340, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-3340 - Airframe hours: 2129 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4150 - B3 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 2012 - Departed: GIF, Winter Haven, FL - Destination: GIF, Winter Haven, FL - Airport: GIF, Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport, runway 05, 5,005 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,238 total, 43 in this make and model, 1,110 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: GIF ## 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 20120823019869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120823019869A), Aug 23, 2012: Stinson 108-2, Winter Haven, FL, Substantial damage. During takeoff on runway 5 at Winter Haven Airport, pilot lost directional control of aircraft resulting in the aircraft departing the left side of the runway.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84797. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 725 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376688&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Notes on Damage (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Notes%20on%20Damage-Redacted.PDF - Winter Haven, Florida Weather (item 3, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376088&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Winter%20Haven,%20Florida%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Left Side of Airplane (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Left%20Side%20of%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Structural Tubing Damage (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Structural%20Tubing%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%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.