# NTSB LAX03CA219: Stinson 108-3, N6216M, St. Johns, AZ, June 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 30, 2003, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: St. Johns, AZ - Coordinates: 34.816665, -109.400001 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8167&lon=-109.4000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57340 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57340/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA219 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting and shifting wind conditions, which resulted in a failure to maintain directional control and a ground loop. The gusting and shifting wind conditions were factors in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The airplane ground looped during the landing roll out on runway 14. The pilot checked the automated surface observation system (ASOS) and noted it was an hour old. He then overflew the airport and checked the windsock. The windsock was indicating wind conditions 180 degrees different than the ASOS. The pilot then called on the Unicom and verified that the winds were blowing opposite the direction as indicated on the ASOS. The Unicom operator, who is also the airport manager, confirmed the pilot's observation, and the pilot landed the airplane. During the landing roll out, the wind shifted from a right quartering headwind to a right quartering tailwind that blew the airplane to the right. It ground looped, impacted a ditch, and bent the left wing approximately 3 feet inboard of the wing tip. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. The METAR reports for the St. Johns airport were reviewed. At 1154, the winds were from 260 degrees at 14 knots. For the 1254 observation, the winds were from 300 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 15; the winds during the hour were noted to be variable from 230 to 030 degrees. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 2003, at 1145 mountain standard time, a Stinson 108-3, N6216M, ground looped during the landing roll out on runway 14 at St. Johns Industrial Airpark (SJN), St. Johns, Arizona. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Las Vegas Municipal Airport (LSV), Las Vegas, New Mexico, about 11:45 central daylight time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported the purpose of landing at St. Johns was to refuel. He checked the automated surface observation system (ASOS) and noted it was an hour old. He then overflew the airport and checked the windsock. The windsock was indicating wind conditions 180 degrees different than the ASOS. The pilot then called on the Unicom and verified that the winds were blowing opposite the direction as indicated on the ASOS. The Unicom operator, who is also the airport manager, confirmed the pilot's observation, and the pilot landed the airplane. During the landing roll out, the wind shifted from a right quartering headwind to a right quartering tailwind that blew the airplane to the right. It ground looped, impacted a ditch, and bent the left wing approximately 3 feet inboard of the wing tip. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. The METAR reports for the St. Johns airport were reviewed. At 1154, the winds were from 260 degrees at 14 knots. For the 1254 observation, the winds were from 300 degrees at 7 knots, gusting to 15; the winds during the hour were noted to be variable from 230 to 030 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6216M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6216M-2005-06-21), registration cancelled 2005-06-21, S/N 108-4216, 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: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-4216 - Engines: Continental IO-360H reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Keith Lassen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LSV, Las Vegas, NM - Destination: E24, Whiteriver, AZ - Airport: SJN, St. Johns Industrial Airport, runway 14, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 29, 2003; flight hours: 475 total, 400 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 12 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: SJN ## 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 20030630016849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030630016849A), Jun 30, 2003: Univar 1083, St Johns, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot indicated that he experienced wind reversal on landing and rollout. He listened to AWOS which indicated westerly winds, and he prepared to land… 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.