# NTSB GAA19CA522: Stinson 108, N97699, Bandera, WA, September 1, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2019, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Bandera, WA - Coordinates: 47.395278, -121.536392 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3953&lon=-121.5364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100197 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA522 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100197/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100197 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA522 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a simulated rejected takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun and noseover. ## 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 108, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=9230402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he wanted to practice a rejected takeoff on a downhill, 2,344-ft-long grass runway. During the simulated rejected takeoff, the airplane floated and did not settle immediately on the runway. He did not believe he could go around, so he landed the airplane and applied brakes. Subsequently, the airplane overran the runway, went down an embankment, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that he should have practiced the maneuver on a longer runway. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, he wanted to "practice" a rejected takeoff on a downhill, 2,344 ft grass runway. During the simulated rejected takeoff, the airplane floated and did not settle immediately on the runway. He felt he could not go around, so he landed the airplane, applied brakes, and the airplane overran the runway down a shallow embankment and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that he should have practiced the maneuver on a longer runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97699](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97699), registered now, S/N 108-699, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-699 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2933.27 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 2019 - Departed: 4W0, Bandera, WA - Destination: 4W0, Bandera, WA - Airport: 4W0, Bandera State, runway 26, 2,344 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 456 total, 274 in this make and model, 395 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KSMP, 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 20190901014679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190901014679A), Sep 1, 2019: Stinson 108, Bandera, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot was going to practice an aborted takeoff and did not intend to be airborne. The aircraft did break ground and became airborne. Due to ground effect, he… ## Other investigations on N97699 (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 NYC70D0017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70D0017), Jun 18, 1969: Stinson 108 (N97699), Wolfeboro, NH, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100197. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480088&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480089&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.