# NTSB GAA17CA153: Stinson 108, N9277K, Valparaiso, IN, February 20, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 20, 2017, 09:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Valparaiso, IN - Coordinates: 41.454723, -87.007225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4547&lon=-87.0072&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 July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94759 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94759/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94759 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA153 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind. ## 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 108-2, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 108-2, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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 108-2, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, as the tail came down, a "sizable gust weathervaned" the airplane to the left. He added that, he "made aggressive inputs to correct the direction" but was unsuccessful. He further added that, once the airplane veered off the runway and into the grass, he could feel the mains begin to sink into the soft ground. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift struts and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 16 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 170° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 18. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, as the tail came down, a "sizable gust weathervaned" the airplane to the left. He added that, he "made aggressive inputs to correct the direction", but was unsuccessful. He further added that, once the airplane veered off the runway and into the grass, he could feel the mains begin to sink into the soft ground. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift struts and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 16 minutes after the accident, the wind was 170° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 18. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9277K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9277K), registered now, S/N 108-2277 (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: 108-2277 - Year built: 1947 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4165 SERIES 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: Private, IN - Destination: VPZ, Valparaiso, IN - Airport: VPZ, Porter County Rgnl, runway 18, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 4, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 330 total, 296 in this make and model, 241 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KVPZ ## 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 20170220002689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170220002689A), Feb 20, 2017: Stinson 108-2, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. During landing rollout, N92477 rolled off of runway. This caused the main landing gears on the aircraft to roll into soft ground resulting in the aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94759. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453700&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 439 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453701&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.