# NTSB GAA16CA070: Stinson 108, N97537, Sharon, KS, December 2, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 2, 2015, 16:32 local (22:32 UTC) - Place: Sharon, KS - Coordinates: 37.248889, -98.473335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2489&lon=-98.4733&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92412 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92412/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92412 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue the unstabilized approach and landing and his delayed decision to go around with an insufficient climb rate, which resulted with collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll on a rough grass private strip, the airplane impacted a "little bump" and became airborne. He reported that he elected to abort the landing due to the end of the runway and trees that were "coming up pretty fast". The pilot further reported that he knew the airplane would not be able to climb and turn at the same time due to the low airspeed. He elected to turn right, and subsequently impacted a fence post with the right wing strut. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the fuselage. According to the pilot 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 on a rough grass private strip, the airplane impacted a "little bump" and became airborne. He reported that he elected to abort the landing due to the end of the runway and trees that were "coming up pretty fast". The pilot further reported that he knew the airplane would not be able to climb and turn at the same time due to the low airspeed. He elected to turn right, and subsequently impacted a fence post with the right wing strut. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the fuselage. According to the pilot there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97537](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97537), registered now, S/N 108-537, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-537 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 8K2, HARPER, KS - Destination: N/A, Sharon, KS - Airport: N/A, Private Airstrip, runway 210, 1,100 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; military, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 12,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 11,500 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KP28, 4 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92412. 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=40437403&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 242 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437404&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%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. --- 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.