# NTSB GAA17CA264: Stinson 108, N9510K, Pedro Bay, AK, May 6, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2017, 16:00 local (May 6, 2017, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Pedro Bay, AK - Coordinates: 59.796943, -154.12944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.7969&lon=-154.1294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95128 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95128/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95128 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA264 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## 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) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stinson 108-2, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9230406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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 reported that, during the takeoff roll on a dirt airstrip, the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered to the right. He added that he "could not see [the] right edge of [the] strip due to [the] tail being low and [the] contour of [the] terrain descending away"; therefore, "corrective measures were not applied." Subsequently, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway, impacted small shrubs/trees and a large rock, and then came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on a dirt airstrip, the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered to the right. He added that he "could not see [the] right edge of [the] strip due to [the] tail being low and [the] contour of [the] terrain descending away"; therefore, "corrective measures were not applied". Subsequently, the airplane veered off the right side of the runway, encountered small shrubs/trees and a large rock. The airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9510K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9510K-2020-01-06), registration cancelled 2020-01-06, S/N 108-2510, 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: [Lycoming 0-435A/0-435C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435a-0-435c) (registry code 41517, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-2510 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3100 - Engines: Continental O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2016 - Departed: Pedro Bay, AK - Destination: SXQ, SOLDOTNA, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review May 28, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 695 total, 550 in this make and model, 645 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 17 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: PAIL, 24 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 20170505005729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170505005729A), May 5, 2017: Stinson 108-2, Pedro Bay, AK, Substantial damage. After landing and working in the area for 4 hours, pilot walked the runway to familiarize himself with the surface. At approximately 40 mph, tail still down a… ## Other investigations on N9510K (2) 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. - [NTSB ANC72DAG79](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72DAG79), Nov 24, 1971: Stinson 108-2 (N9510K), Kodiak, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC68D0087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68D0087), Sep 21, 1967: Stinson 108-2 (N9510K), Pilot Point, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 27, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95128. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 871 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 306 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.