# NTSB LAX07CA152: Stinson 108, N97648, Auburn, CA, May 5, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2007, 11:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Auburn, CA - Coordinates: 38.954723, -121.081665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9547&lon=-121.0817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65732 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65732/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA152 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during an aborted landing that resulted in a stall/mush. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted - weather condition - crosswind - weather condition - gusts - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain during an aborted landing. The pilot observed weather and airport traffic for an hour before departing. He planned on conducting a 30-minute local flight. When he returned to the airport and was in the traffic pattern, he observed the windsock, and noted varying crosswind and quartering headwind conditions; these were confirmed to be 9 knots gusting to 16 knots when he then checked the automated weather observation system (AWOS). Upon touchdown, the pilot experienced a strong gust from the north, and he applied full power with the intention of aborting the landing. The airplane lifted off and began a climb, then stalled, and landed hard between the runway and parallel taxiway, spreading the main landing gear and bending the airframe structure behind the cabin. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 2006, about 1135 Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108, N97648, collided with terrain during an aborted landing at Auburn Municipal Airport (AUN), Auburn, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Auburn about 1100. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated in a written report that prior to departing he had spent an hour observing local wind conditions and air traffic. He conducted a preflight examination of the airplane, and adjusted air in all of the tires. He reported that there were 22 gallons of useable fuel on board. The pilot planned on conducting a 30-minute flight. Prior to departure, the wind was 6 knots out of the north gusting to 12 knots. He proceeded to taxi to runway 25 for departure, but observed the winds shifting, and elected to turn around for a departure from runway 7. After departing in a westerly direction and clearing Auburn airspace, the pilot decided to return to the airport. He entered a left traffic pattern for runway 7. During this time, he monitored the windsock, and noted winds varying from a left quartering headwind to a direct left crosswind. He then checked the automated weather observation system (AWOS), which was reporting variable winds from the north at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. Upon touchdown, the pilot experienced a strong gust from the north, and applied full power with the intention of aborting the landing. The airplane then stalled, and landed hard between the runway and parallel taxiway, spreading the main landing gear and bending the airframe structure behind the cabin. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. A witness, who is a flight instructor, observed the accident from the ramp south of runway 7. He had just cancelled a tail wheel flight lesson 10 minutes prior due to excessive crosswinds. He was facing away from the runway, but turned around as he heard the power applied to the accident airplane. As he turned, he saw the airplane approaching him, nose up at an altitude of 15-20 feet. The nose continued to climb, and he feared it might stall. The right wing then dropped, and the tail and right landing gear collided with the ground. The airplane continued to skid along the ground until it came to rest between the runway and taxiway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97648](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97648-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 108648, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108 - 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: 108648 - Engines: Franklin 6A4150 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Savoir Vivre, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AUN, Auburn, CA - Destination: AUN, Auburn, CA - Airport: AUN, Auburn Municipal Airport, runway 07, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 7,368 total, 106 in this make and model, 109 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 4 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: AUN ## 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 20070505007769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070505007769A), May 5, 2007: Univar 108, Auburn, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was practicing take-off and landings during high wind conditions. Per pilot the winds were up and down in velocity. During a touch and go, the wind… ## Other investigations on N97648 (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 LAX66D0233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66D0233), Dec 6, 1965: Stinson 108 (N97648), Hemet, CA, substantial damage 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.