# NTSB FTW87LA187: Stinson 108-3, N6809M, Hereford, TX, August 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1987, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Hereford, TX
- Coordinates: 34.820152, -102.389175 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8202&lon=-102.3892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22410
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22410/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA187

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A STATE HWY WITH A TRUCK BLOCKING TRAFFIC AT THE END OF A 2,500 FOOT STRETCH.  THE PLT ELECTED TO TKOF TOWARD THE TRUCK, HOWEVER, DURING THE TKOF RUN, HE REALIZED THAT HE COULD NOT CLEAR THE TRUCK AND PULLED UP SHARPLY.  DRNG THE PULL UP THE ACFT STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GRND IN A NOSE LOW, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE PLT STATED THAT DRNG THE TKOF THE ENG APPEARED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. (EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE PLT HAD INTENTIONALLY LANDED ON THE ROAD TO VISIT A BUSINESS ASSOCIATE, HOWEVER, HE INDICATED IN AN INITIAL INTERVIEW THAT HE HAD LANDED DUE TO A ROUGH RUNNING ENG THAT ALLEVIATED ITSELF ONCE HE WAS ON THE GRND. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT TO COMPLETE THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6809M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6809M-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 108-4809, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-3
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-4809
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: William L. Gray, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: DAL, DALLAS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 590 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870803081229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870803081229A), Aug 3, 1987: Univar 1083, Hereford, TX, Destroyed. Tried to takeoff from a road blocked by a truck for traffic. Pulled up to miss the truck. Stalled. Crashed. Burned.

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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