# NTSB LAX87LA148: Stinson 108-1, N97115, Rio Vista, CA, March 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1987, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Rio Vista, CA
- Coordinates: 38.17955, -121.729034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1795&lon=-121.7290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25542
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25542/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA148

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER IN SOFT SOIL AFTER A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE FAILED DURING THE DEPARTURE CLIMB AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE PILOT ACCOMPLISHED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER WHEN THE NOSE GEAR BECAME BOGGED IN SOFT SOIL. THE POWERPLANT WAS DISASSEMBLED AND EXAMINED. DURING THE DISASSEMBLY THE CRANKSHAFT WAS DISCOVERED TO BE FRACTURED BETWEEN THE NUMBER ONE AND TWO CYLINDER JOURNALS. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AIRFRAME AND ENGINE LOGBOOKS REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS INSTALLED ON MARCH 28, 1984 WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED. THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACCUMULATED A TOTAL OF 54 FLIGHT HOURS SINCE THE ENGINE OVERHAUL. IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED IF THE CRANKSHAFT WAS NEW OR RECONDITIONED AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97115](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97115-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 108-1115, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- 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: 108-1115
- Airframe hours: 2347
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert V. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1986, 8 hours before
- Departed: 088, RIO VISTA, CA
- Destination: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 535 total, 200 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUU, 14 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 19870317006289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870317006289A), Mar 17, 1987: Univar 108, Rio Vista, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failed during climb. Forced landing in a field. Nosed over. Found crankshaft fractured between 2 cylinders.

## Other investigations on N97115 (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 OAK77DVD33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77DVD33), May 14, 1977: Stinson 108-1 (N97115), Healdsburg, 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.

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