# NTSB GAA18CA237: Stinson 108, N6933M, Eliza Island, WA, April 27, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 27, 2018, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Eliza Island, WA - Coordinates: 48.650276, -122.584442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6503&lon=-122.5844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97126 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97126/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97126 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA237 ## Probable cause The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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 108-3, 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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9230408), [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 108-3, 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) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, he had difficulty staying on the runway. He added, in a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator in charge, that, while airborne, the airplane aerodynamically stalled into brush off the end of the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 9 miles to the north-northwest reported that that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 8 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane departed the southeast runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, he had difficulty staying on the runway. He added, in a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-In-Charge, that, while airborne, the airplane aerodynamically stalled into brush off the end of the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 9 miles to the north-northwest reported that that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 8 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane departed the southeast runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6933M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6933M), registered now, S/N 108-4933, built 1949 (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: 108-4933 - Year built: 1949 - Airframe hours: 2538 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-335-B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2018 - Departed: WA93, Eliza Island, WA - Destination: BVS, MOUNT VERNON, WA - Airport: WA93, Eliza Island, runway SE, 1,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KBLI, 9 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 20180427004189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180427004189A), Apr 27, 2018: Stinson 108-3, Eliza Island, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on take off roll to the south with a cross wind from the south west. The pilot realized that the runway end was quickly approaching. He attempted… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97126. 807 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 495 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.