# NTSB GAA16CA369: Stinson 108, N955C, Red Lodge, MT, July 8, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 8, 2016, 15:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Red Lodge, MT - Coordinates: 45.186111, -109.257774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1861&lon=-109.2578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93585 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA369 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93585/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93585 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA369 ## Probable cause A deer running across the runway and impacting the left side of the airplane, resulting in a loss of directional control, a runway excursion, and a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 108-3, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during takeoff he noticed movement from the left as a deer ran onto the runway. He further reported that he applied right rudder to avoid hitting the deer, but the deer impacted the airplane between the left pilot's door and the horizontal stabilizer causing the airplane to veer to the left. The pilot stated that he attempted to recover by applying maximum right brake and right rudder, however it was ineffective and the airplane exited the runway to the left, ground looped, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, empennage and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during takeoff he noticed movement from the left as a deer ran onto the runway. He further reported that he applied right rudder to avoid hitting the deer, but the deer impacted the airplane between the left pilot's door and the horizontal stabilizer causing the airplane to veer to the left. The pilot stated that he attempted to recover by applying maximum right brake and right rudder, however it was ineffective and the airplane exited the runway to the left, ground looped, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, empennage and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N955C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N955C-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 108-3955, built 1947 (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: 108-3955 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 2923 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-C1R 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 2016 - Departed: RED, Red Lodge, MT - Destination: BIL, BILLINGS, MT - Airport: RED, Red Lodge, runway 16, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 3, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,450 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 3,450 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KPOY, 28 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 20160708013809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160708013809A), Jul 8, 2016: Stinson 108-3, Red Lodge, MT, Substantial damage. On 7/8/16, at 1510 MST, a Stinson 108-3, N955C, registered to the pilot taxied to runway 16 at Red Lodge, MT (red) and performed the engine runup. During the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93585. 2.3 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=40442800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pictures of Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 441 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pictures%20of%20Airplane%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.