# NTSB GAA15CA249: Stinson L 5E, N944LB, Tucson, AZ, August 20, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 20, 2015, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.113609, -110.936668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1136&lon=-110.9367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA Scottsdale FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91921/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91921
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA249

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a runway excursion and a collision with an object.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson L-5E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8630210), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson L-5E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8630210), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Stinson L-5E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=8630210), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson L-5E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8630210), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stinson L-5E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8630210), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stinson L-5E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8630210), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane "went into a ground loop with the nose of the aircraft pointing to the right." He stated that the airplane departed the runway to the right and impacted a runway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane "went into a ground loop with the nose of the aircraft pointing to the right." He stated that the airplane departed the runway to the right and impacted a runway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N944LB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N944LB), registered now, S/N 76-2970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON L 5E (E)
- Registry model: [Stinson L-5E](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-l-5e) (registry code 8630210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435A/0-435C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435a-0-435c) (registry code 41517, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 76-2970
- Year built: 1944
- Airframe hours: 2666.4
- Engines: Lycoming O-435A/O-435C 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Davis Wesley B.
- Registered owner: Davis Wesley B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 5, 2015
- Departed: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ
- Destination: TUS, Tucson, AZ
- Airport: TUS, Tucson Intl, runway 11L, 10,996 × 150 ft, concrete
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 3, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,700 total, 3,700 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: KTUS, 1 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 20150820019969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150820019969A), Aug 20, 2015: Stinson L-5E, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Landing at Tucson International pilot immediately ground looped aircraft. Aircraft departed runway to the right and struck a runway sign.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91921. 2.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 240 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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