# NTSB LAX92LA013: Stinson 108-8, N87607, Susanville, CA, October 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1991, 09:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Susanville, CA
- Coordinates: 40.570446, -120.610565 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5704&lon=-120.6106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA013

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN A CORRECT AIRSPEED DURING THE APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed(vref) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

IN A STATEMENT TO FAA INSPECTORS THE PILOT SAID HE WAS TURNING FROM BASE TO FINAL APPROACH WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY STALLED.  THE AIRCRAFT MUSHED INTO THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  IN HIS COMPLETED PILOT AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT NTSB FORM 6120.1/2, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS THINKING MORE ABOUT FISHING THAN FLYING THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT. HE NOTED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE 'PAID MORE ATTENTION TO HIS AIRSPEED'.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87607](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N87607), registered now, S/N 108-8, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-8
- 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: 8
- Airframe hours: 2794
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roach, Thomas R
- Registered owner: Roach, Thomas R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1991, 27 hours before
- Departed: Q94, RIO LINDA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 1Q2, Spaulding, runway 16, 4,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 600 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19911012045879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911012045879A), Oct 12, 1991: Univar 108, Susanville, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled turning base to final for landing. Pilot stated he did not have his mind on flying aircraft properly.

## Other investigations on N87607 (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 WPR20CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA168), Jun 4, 2020: Stinson 108 (N87607), Yakima, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted landing, which resulted in a ground loop, runway excursion, and subsequent nose over.

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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