FTW04LA003

NTSB accident investigation · Stinson 108-1 · Pauls Valley, OK · October 5, 2003

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
October 5, 2003, 18:55 local (23:55 UTC)
Place
Pauls Valley, OK
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N845Stinson 108-1
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 2, 2004
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Flight Standards District Office (SW15)
FAA report
20031005026269A
Case key
58087

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerTakeoff - initial climb
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
Forced landingDescent - emergency
In flight collision with objectManeuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Object - residence
FireEmergency landing

Analysis

During takeoff initial climb at approximately 300 feet AGL, the engine had a partial loss of power. The 725-hour pilot attempted to return to the airport but the airplane collided with the roof of a house located approximately 400 yards from the end of Runway 30. The collision resulted in a fire that consumed the aircraft and the house; however, there were no reported injuries to anyone on the ground. Examination of the engine by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed no anomalies in the engine; however, the engine sustained extensive fire damage. The magnetos and carburetor were completely destroyed by fire. The reason for the reported loss of power could not be determined.

Factual narrative

On October 5, 2003, at 1855 central daylight time, a Stinson 108-1 single-engine airplane, N845, registered to and operated by a private individual was destroyed during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during takeoff from the Pauls Valley Municipal Airport (PVJ), near Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The 725-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that after completing a touch and go landing, the pilot taxied to the run-up pad, completed a run-up and operations check, then departed for a touch and go landing on Runway 35. At approximately 300 feet AGL, the pilot noticed the aircraft was climbing slower than normal and the engine rpm dropped to 2,200 rpm. The pilot stated, "I tried carburetor heat, mixture, and moved the throttle in and out with no better performance." The pilot attempted to return to the airport but collided with the roof of a house located approximately 400 yards from the end of Runway 30. The collision resulted in a fire that consumed the aircraft and the house; however, there were no reported injuries to anyone on the ground.

Examination of the Franklin 6A-150-B3 engine by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed no anomalies in the engine; however, the engine sustained extensive fire damage. The magnetos and carburetor were completely destroyed by fire. The reason for the reported loss of power could not be determined.

Aircraft

Registration
N845
Reported as
Stinson 108-1
Category
Airplane
Serial number
108-1082
Engine
Franklin 6A4150, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Charles G. Lucas
Registered owner
James Wells
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
PVJ · Pauls Valley, OK
Destination
Pauls Valley, OK

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
38
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Expired
Last flight review
June 10, 2003
Seat
Left
Flight hours
725 total · 150 in this make and model · 656 as pilot in command · 40 in the last 90 days · 30 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
30° at 5 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
70 °F, dew point 61 °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.