# NTSB ERA24LA052: Stinson 108-2, N9564K, Martinsville, VA, November 30, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 30, 2023, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Martinsville, VA - Coordinates: 36.630427, -80.017605 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6304&lon=-80.0176&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193457 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193457/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193457 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA052 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a wheel landing in crosswind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a ground loop on the runway. ## 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 108-2, 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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was flying with a flight instructor and was working towards his tailwheel endorsement. During a wheel landing attempt with a direct crosswind from the left, the airplane swerved, and the pilot attempted to make a correction by applying right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped before the flight instructor could take control of the airplane, and the left wing and left elevator struck the runway surface. Following the ground loop, the pilot continued the taxi to the ramp without further incident. The fuselage, left wing, and left elevator sustained substantial damage. The pilot and flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9564K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9564K), registered now, S/N 108-2564, 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 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-2564 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 2043 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 2023, 11 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: MTV, Blue Ridge, runway 13/31, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 211 total, 11 in this make and model, 121 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 66; injuries: none; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2022; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 28,542 total, 20,485 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: MTV - METAR: KMTV 301555Z AUTO 25003KT 10SM CLR 10/M06 A3025 RMK AO2 T01041057 TSNO ## 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 20231130022419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231130022419A), Nov 30, 2023: Stinson 108-2, Martinsville, VA, Substantial damage. The private-certificated pilot was under instruction for a tailwheel endorsement. He was performing a wheel landing when the plane swerved to the left. He… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193457. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16458507&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16458275&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20with%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Flight instructor statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16466679&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA052%20ROC%20with%20CFI-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 643 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16458714&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA052%20Investigative%20Photos-Rel.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.