# NTSB GAA17CA433: Stinson SR9, N83K, Bode, IA, July 22, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2017, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Bode, IA - Coordinates: 42.904167, -94.23722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9042&lon=-94.2372&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95645 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA433 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95645/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95645 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA433 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off from an unimproved bean field with insufficient length for the airplane to clear adjacent corn stalks. ## 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 SR-9E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8631518), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson SR-9E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=8631518), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson SR-9E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8631518), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Stinson SR-9E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=8631518), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson SR-9E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=8631518), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Stinson SR-9E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8631518), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stinson SR-9E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8631518), [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 SR-9E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8631518), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he performed a precautionary landing in a bean field due to a rough-running engine. The pilot then had an airframe & powerplant mechanic look at the airplane and perform multiple engine run-ups. The rough-running engine was determined to be caused by carburetor ice. The pilot then loaded his two passengers into the airplane and attempted to take off from the bean field. He added that, as the airplane began to gain altitude, it approached the end of the open bean field. Subsequently, the landing gear contacted corn stalks in an adjacent field, descended into the corn field, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and 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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he performed a precautionary landing in a bean field due to a rough running engine. The pilot then had an Airframe & Powerplant mechanic look at the airplane and perform multiple engine runups. The rough running engine was determined to be caused by carburetor ice. The pilot then loaded his two passengers into the airplane and attempted to takeoff from the bean field. He added that, as the airplane began to gain altitude, the airplane approached the end of the open bean field. Subsequently, the landing gear encountered corn stalks in an adjacent field, descended into the corn field and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83K), registered now, S/N 5405, built 1937 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON SR9 (E) - Registry model: [Stinson SR-9E](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-sr-9e) (registry code 8631518) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright 760E-2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-760e-2) (registry code 67011, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5405 - Year built: 1937 - Airframe hours: 3702 - Engines: Wright R-760E-2 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2017 - Departed: AXA, ALGONA, IA - Destination: IA83, LIVERMORE, IA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 8, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 10,773 total, 440 in this make and model, 10,156 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KAXA, 11 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 20170722012589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170722012589A), Jul 22, 2017: Stinson SR-9E, St Joseph, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he, and 2 pax departed the family farm, landed at Algona Municipal Airport (axa), took on fuel and then departed for a sight-seeing flight in… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95645. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 919 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 458 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456219&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.