# NTSB GAA18CA238: Stinson 108, N35VM, Spokane, WA, April 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 27, 2018, 19:09 local (Apr 28, 2018, 02:09 UTC) - Place: Spokane, WA - Coordinates: 47.683055, -117.324165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6831&lon=-117.3242&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97128 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA238 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97128/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97128 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA238 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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 108-1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9230404), [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 108-1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230404), [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 108-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a three-point landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane "yawed slightly to the left of the path of travel," and when the right wheel touched down, the left wing and left main landing gear raised. He added that he applied left aileron and right rudder to correct; however, the airplane ground looped to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The right landing gear sank into the sod, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane tipped on its nose then came to rest on its landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. 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 a three-point landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane was "yawed slightly to the left of the path of travel", and when the right wheel touched down the left wing and left main landing gear raised. He added that, he applied left aileron and right rudder to correct; however, the airplane ground looped to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The right landing gear sank into the sod, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane tipped on its nose then came to rest on its landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35VM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35VM), registered now, S/N 108-2138, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108 (1) - Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-2138 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3125.6 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-C1R 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2018 - Departed: MWH, MOSES LAKE, WA - Destination: SFF, Spokane, WA - Airport: SFF, Felts Field, runway 04R, 2,650 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 29, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 117 total, 10 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.63 inHg - Observed at: KSFF ## 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 20180427004239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180427004239A), Apr 27, 2018: Stinson 108-1, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. N35VM, single engine, conventional gear, Stinson 108, lost control on landing and groundlooped, departing the landing runway 04R. The pilot stated he was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 21, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97128. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 235 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464425&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.