# NTSB GAA19CA263: Stinson 108, N6392M, Soldotna, AK, May 12, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 12, 2019, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Soldotna, AK - Coordinates: 60.524723, -150.996383 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5247&lon=-150.9964&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99425 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99425/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99425 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA263 ## Probable cause The pilot's overapplication of the brakes during landing on a soft runway, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=9230408), [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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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, while landing the airplane on the first third of the 1,000-ft-long private, grass airstrip, he applied heavier braking toward the end of the runway. He added that the main landing gear "dug into a soft/muddy spot," and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. 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 landed on the first 1/3 of the 1,000-foot-long private, grass airstrip, he applied heavier braking toward the end of the runway. The main landing gear, "dug into a soft/muddy spot" and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6392M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6392M), registered now, S/N 108-4392, built 1948 (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: 108-4392 - Year built: 1948 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: SXQ, Soldotna, AK - Destination: PVT, Soldotna, AK - Airport: PVT, Mackey Lake private strip, runway 09, 1,000 × 70 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 500 total, 53 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: PASX, 3 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 20190512000559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190512000559A), May 12, 2019: Stinson 108-3, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. On may 12, 2019, at 1523 local time, N6392M, a Stinson 108-3, was substantially damaged when it flipped over after hitting a soft spot in the runway during a… ## Other investigations on N6392M (1) 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 SEA72FYA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72FYA01), Jul 17, 1971: Stinson 108-3 (N6392M), Boise, ID, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99425. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 266 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.