# NTSB FTW00LA139: Stinson 108-3, N6905M, Socorro, NM, May 6, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 2000, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Socorro, NM - Coordinates: 34.049167, -106.899337 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0492&lon=-106.8993&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51133 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51133/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA139 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent groundloop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot aborted the first takeoff on runway 24 because he felt that the engine was not developing power. Subsequently, he taxied the airplane to runway 15, leaned the engine for the density altitude conditions, and initiated the takeoff roll on the 5,800-foot runway. The pilot determined that the airplane wasn't developing adequate speed for takeoff, and he aborted the second takeoff. The airplane veered off the right side of runway 15 and groundlooped. Winds were reported from 210 degrees at 7 knots with a temperature of 91 degrees Fahrenheit. The density altitude was calculated as 8,000 feet. No mechanical discrepancies were reported. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 2000, at 1300 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, tailwheel equipped airplane, N6905M, groundlooped during an aborted takeoff at the Socorro Municipal Airport, near Socorro, New Mexico. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned cross-country flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he was flying the airplane from the state of California to the state of Michigan. The previous leg of the flight was from Cottonwood, Arizona, to Socorro. After refueling at Socorro, the pilot aborted the first takeoff on runway 24 because he felt that the engine was not developing power. Subsequently, he "taxied the airplane to runway 15, leaned the engine for the density altitude conditions, and initiated the takeoff roll on the 5,800-foot runway." On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that he "determined [he] wasn't going to develop adequate speed for takeoff." He aborted the second takeoff; however, he "couldn't control the aircraft to a straight stop." The airplane veered off the right side of runway 15 and groundlooped. The left wing spars and the left wing strut attachment point sustained structural damage. The propeller, engine cowling, and tailwheel spring were damaged. The pilot reported the wind from 210 degrees at 7 knots and a temperature of 91 degrees Fahrenheit. At 1256, the surface weather observation facility at Albuquerque, New Mexico, (60 nautical miles south of Socorro) reported the wind from 280 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 21 knots, temperature at 29 degrees centigrade (84.2 degrees Fahrenheit), and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches Mercury. The density altitude was calculated as 8,000 feet. The FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. No mechanical discrepancies were found that would have contributed to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6905M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6905M), registered now, S/N 108-4905 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-3 - Registry model: [Universal Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-4905 - Airframe hours: 3500 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joel R. Henderson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 1999, 7 hours before - Destination: DHT, DALHART, TX - Airport: ONM, Socorro Municipal, runway 15, 5,841 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 20000506019869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000506019869A), May 6, 2000: Univar 1083, Socorro, NM, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot aborted the first takeoff on runway 24 because he felt that the engine was not developing power. Subsequently, he taxied the airplane to runway… 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.