# NTSB LAX04LA225: Stinson 108-2, N9816K, Susanville, CA, May 31, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2004, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Susanville, CA - Coordinates: 40.641666, -120.768333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6417&lon=-120.7683&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59339 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59339/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA225 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to perform a proper preflight inspection of the airplane and ensure that the oil cap was secured, which resulted in a descent into terrain due to his obstructed view out of the windshield. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb - lubricating system,oil filler cap - not secured (cause) - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,oil - leak (contributing factor) - window,cabin - obstructed (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The airplane descended into terrain shortly after takeoff while the pilot was attempting to return back to the airport. The airplane climbed to about 100 to 200 feet above ground level, and began a right turn back to the runway. The pilot made a radio transmission stating that he was returning to the airport, because he had mistakenly left the oil filler cap off of the engine, which was resulting in the windshield becoming obstructed with a layer of oil. The airplane descended into terrain about 300 yards south of the departure end of the runway at a wings level, 20-degree nose down attitude. First responders to the accident noted that the airplane's windshield was coated in a layer of oil. The pilot thought that the accident could have been prevented if he had remembered to replace the oil cap on the engine while performing his preflight inspection. He reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2004, about 1045 Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108-2, N9816K, descended into terrain shortly after takeoff from the Spaulding Airport, Susanville, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and the pilot rated passenger sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight was originating from Susanville, with the planned destination of Fresno Chandler Executive Airport, Fresno, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. During a telephone interview with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, a witness (who is also a pilot), reported that after departing, the airplane made a climbing left turn. As the airplane reached about 100 to 200 feet above ground level, it began a turn to the right, which he thought was consistent with the pilot attempting to return back to the airport. The airplane descended into terrain about 300 yards south of the departure end of the runway at a wings level, 20-degree nose down attitude. After completing a visual inspection of the airplane, the witness noted that the airplane's windshield was coated in a layer of oil. Another witnesses reported that prior to impacting terrain, the pilot made a radio transmission stating that he was returning to the airport. He announced that he had mistakenly left the oil filler cap off the engine and, as a result, the windshield had become obstructed with oil. In a written statement, the pilot reported that neither he, nor the passenger, remembered the accident. The passenger could recall that after the pilot performed a short field takeoff, and several seconds into the initial climb out, she noticed small droplets of oil forming at bottom of the windshield. The pilot further reported that several witnesses on the ground observed the airplane departing to the south. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane began a steep right turn. Prior to impacting the ground the airplane's attitude recovered to coordinated, level flight. The pilot thought that the accident could have been prevented if he had remembered to replace the oil cap on the engine while performing his preflight inspection. He reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9816K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9816K-2013-07-17), registration cancelled 2013-07-17, S/N 108-2816 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-2 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-2816 - Airframe hours: 3070 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2004, 100 hours before - Departed: 1Q2, Susanville, CA - Destination: FCH, FRESNO, CA - Airport: 1Q2, Spaulding Airport, runway 16, 4,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 17, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 600 in this make and model, 660 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: SVE, 19 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 20040531012689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040531012689A), May 31, 2004: Univar 1082, Susanville, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Stinson 108-2, N9816K, took off from Spaulding Airport (1Q2) runway 16 and impacted a small tree located approximately 300 yards beyond the south end of… 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.