# NTSB FTW96LA077: Stinson ST-108-2, N135C, Lake Dallas, TX, December 27, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 27, 1995, 09:52 local (15:52 UTC) - Place: Lake Dallas, TX - Coordinates: 32.880622, -96.649246 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8806&lon=-96.6492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19730/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA077 ## Probable cause the failure of the #6 connecting rod assembly. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing which resulted in a water landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Ditching, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot reported that after takeoff, while climbing through 500 feet AGL, the engine 'experienced a dramatic and immediate power loss (70-80%) and began surging, all in the low RPM range.' During the emergency descent, he decided to 'ditch under control' in a lake to avoid descending into a residential area. Both occupants exited the airplane after the water landing, and swam to shore. The airplane subsequently submerged. During an engine teardown by the owner, it was discovered that the #6 connecting rod had 'failed.' ## Factual narrative On December 27, 1995, approximately 0952 central standard time, a Stinson ST-108-2, N135C, registered to, and operated by the student pilot under instruction, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, was destroyed during a forced landing to water following a loss of power after takeoff from a private airstrip, near Lake Dallas, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot-in-command, a certified flight instructor (CFI), received minor injuries and the student pilot was not injured. After practicing takeoffs and landings, the flight departed the airstrip about 2 minutes prior to the accident, and was en route to Addison Airport, Dallas, Texas. The CFI reported the following information: After takeoff, while climbing through 500 feet above ground level, the engine "experienced a dramatic and immediate power loss (70-80%) and began surging, all in the low RPM range." The airplane could not sustain level flight. The student pilot was at the controls when the engine started to run rough; however, the CFI assumed control of the airplane during the emergency descent/landing. He attempted to return to the airstrip, however; "although the engine was still running, it was not developing any appreciable thrust." During the descent, he decided to "ditch under control" in a lake to avoid descending into a residential area. Both occupants exited the airplane after the water landing, and swam to shore. The airplane subsequently submerged. During an engine teardown by the owner, it was discovered that the #6 connecting rod had "failed." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N135C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N135C-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 108-3135, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson ST-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: 108-5135 - Engines: Franklin GA4-165-133 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bradford D. Bowen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1994, 40 hours before - Departed: 30F - Destination: ADS, ADDISON, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 504 total, 10 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 13 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °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 19951227042569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951227042569A), Dec 27, 1995: Univar 1082, Dallas, TX, Destroyed. Engine lost power and surged on climbout. Ditched in lake to avoids houses, NR6 connecting rod had failed. 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.