# NTSB FTW87FA179: Stinson 108-3, N744C, Kirbyville, TX, July 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1987, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Kirbyville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.649225, -93.889945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6492&lon=-93.8899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA179

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - powerplant - smoke
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT APPROACHED THE KIRBYVILLE AIRPORT IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING, WITNESSES STATED THAT SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED 30 FOOT PINE TREES, & CONTROL WAS LOST. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A LARGE TREE APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE PILOT APPEARED TO BE ATTEMPTING TO REACH AN OPEN FIELD IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE POINT OF IMPACT. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT AND ENGINE WERE EXTENSIVELY DMGD BY IMPACT AND POSTCRASH FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N744C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N744C-1988-04-05), registration cancelled 1988-04-05, S/N 1083744 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-3
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3744
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Delma Haney
- Registered owner: Ruby B. Holmes & Dalma Haney
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: ORG, ORANGE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BPT, 62 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 19870727038899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870727038899A), Jul 27, 1987: Univar STC108, Kirbyville, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into wooded terrain next to an open field. Engine fire in flight. Aircraft destroyed by post crash fire.

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.

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