# NTSB FTW96LA202: Stinson 108-2, N427C, El Paso, TX, May 6, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 1996, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: El Paso, TX - Location: 31.7587° N, 106.4869° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Paso, TX, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7587&lon=-106.4869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19830/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA202 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the unfavorable en route wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that at takeoff, he had 50 gallons of fuel on board. According to his calculations, the 50 gallons would allow a 4.6 hour flight, and his flight was planned to take 4.1 hours. The pilot reported that en route, he encountered wind which caused the estimated time of flight to extend to 4.7 hours. The airplane ran out of fuel approximately 8 miles from the destination airport. The pilot landed on a dirt road. Approximately 300 feet from the touchdown point, the road dropped slightly, and the airplane bounced. The airplane struck a small tree before coming to rest on its nose. ## Factual narrative On May 06, 1996, at 1100 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-2, N427C, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near El Paso, Texas. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that originated in Abilene, Texas, at 0620. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The pilot reported that at takeoff, he had 50 gallons of fuel on board. According to his calculations, the 50 gallons would allow a 4.6 hour flight, and his flight was planned to take 4.1 hours. The pilot reported that en route, he encountered wind which caused the estimated time of flight to extend to 4.7 hours. The airplane ran out of fuel approximately 8 miles from the destination airport. The pilot landed on a dirt road. Approximately 300 feet from the touchdown point, the road dropped slightly, and the airplane bounced. The airplane struck a small tree before coming to rest on its nose. The airplane sustained structural damage at the left gear attachment point. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N427C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N427C-2012-08-08), registration cancelled 2012-08-08, S/N 108-3427, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 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: 1083427 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James A. Chandler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1996, 29 hours before - Departed: ABI, ABILENE, TX - Destination: ELP, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 563 total, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 86 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ELP, 8 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 19960506009529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960506009529A), May 6, 1996: Univar 1082, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel after near 5HR flight near destination. Landed dirt road. Lost control. Stopped on its nose. 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.