# NTSB ERA16LA173: Universal Stinson 108, N8660K, Calverton, NY, April 30, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 30, 2016, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Calverton, NY - Coordinates: 40.915, -72.791946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9150&lon=-72.7919&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93083 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93083/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93083 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA173 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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: [Universal Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230412), [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: [Universal Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9230412), [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. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=9230412), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=9230412), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230412), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Universal Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230412), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that, during climbout at an altitude of about 1,200 ft mean sea level, the engine began to run roughly as though it had a partially fouled spark plug. He decided to perform a precautionary landing at a nearby airport with an asphalt runway that was 10,000 ft long and 200 ft wide. During the landing roll, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, which resulted in a ground loop. The airplane came to rest in the grass on the left side of runway. Although the wind conditions at the landing airport were not recorded, the recorded wind at a nearby airport about the time of the accident was variable at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 30, 2016, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Universal Stinson 108, N8660K, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion while landing at the Calverton Executive Airpark (3C8), Calverton, New York. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that that was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed Lufker Airport (49N), East Moriches, New York at 0930, destined for Westmoreland Airport (49NY), Shelter Island, New York.The pilot stated that during climbout at an altitude of about 1,200 feet mean sea level, the engine began to "miss" as though it had a "partially fouled [spark] plug." He decided to perform a precautionary landing at 3C8 and attempt to remedy the problem on the ground. During the rollout after landing, a wind gust lifted the right wing and the airplane ground looped and came to rest in the grass on the left side of runway 32. Brookhaven Airport (HWV), Shirley, New York, was located about 7 miles southwest of the accident site. At 0956 the reported weather at HWV included wind variable at 5 knots, clear skies, with 10 statute miles of visibility. Runway 32 at 3C8 was constructed of asphalt and concrete and was 10,001 feet-long by 200 feet-wide. An examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the left wing strut was bent, the left main landing gear was folded under the fuselage, the left wing tip was damaged, and the fuselage floor structure sustained substantial damage. The pilot indicated that the engine had performed similarly on previous occasions, and he was able to correct it by performing an engine run-up. The airplane was fueled with automotive gasoline, for which it was approved; however, the applicable supplemental type certificate specifications did not permit the use of automotive fuel containing ethanol. The FAA inspector reported that the pilot had been purchasing automotive fuel that contained ethanol, and employed a "water shake" method in an attempt to remove the ethanol from the fuel before transferring it to the airplane fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8660K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8660K-2017-03-13), registration cancelled 2017-03-13, S/N 108-1660, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: UNIVERSAL STINSON 108 - Registry model: [Universal Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108) (registry code 9230412) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-1660 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 2485 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4150 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 2015, 77 hours before - Departed: 49N, EAST MORICHES, NY - Destination: 49NY, SHELTER ISLAND, NY - Airport: 3C8, Calverton Executive Airpark, runway 32, 10,001 × 200 ft, concrete - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 601 total, 51 in this make and model, 557 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KHWV, 7 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 20160430004319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160430004319A), Apr 30, 2016: Universal Stinson 108, Calverton, NY, Substantial damage. At approximately 10:30 am local time, [privacy data omitted]pilot attempted to land at Calverton airport due to engine having problems/missing. Pilot stated… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93083. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469629&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469630&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 990 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469631&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469632&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-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.