# NTSB LAX92LA282: Stinson 108-3, N592C, Montague, CA, July 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1992, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Montague, CA
- Coordinates: 41.749084, -122.670761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7491&lon=-122.6708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA282
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA282

## Probable cause

THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE LEFT WHEEL DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT AND THE RESULTANT INABILITY OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT NATURE OF THE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE AIRCRAFT AFTER LEAVING THE RUNWAY SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,wheel - cracked (cause)
  - landing gear,wheel - disintegrated (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL DISINTEGRATED JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN AND HE COULD NOT PREVENT THE AIRCRAFT FROM VEERING OFF THE RUNWAY. AS THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED THE GRASSY DIRT AREA NEXT TO THE RUNWAY, THE LEFT AXLE DUG INTO THE SOIL AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ITEM ON THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1948 AND HAS ACCRUED A TOTAL TIME IN SERVICE OF 1,407 HOURS. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD REMOVED AND INSPECTED THE WHEEL THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND THAT IT APPEARED NORMAL. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE WHEEL PIECES BY THE PILOT REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A SMALL FAIRLY RECENT CRACK IN THE WHEEL CASTING NEAR THE AXLE. THE PILOT FURTHER SAID THE CRACK WAS IN THE INSIDE PART OF THE WHEEL AND UNDER THE TIRE WHERE IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN OBSERVED UNLESS THE WHEEL HAD BEEN COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N592C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N592C-2016-12-05), registration cancelled 2016-12-05, S/N 108-3592, built 1947 (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: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-3592
- Airframe hours: 1407
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Talmadge Westmoreland
- Registered owner: Talmadge Westmoreland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1991, 21 hours before
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Destination: YVR, VANCOVER
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 105, Rohrer Field, runway 32, 3,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 750 in this make and model, 7,800 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920705023569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920705023569A), Jul 5, 1992: Univar 1083, Montague, CA, Substantial damage. Left main wheel disintegrated on landing roll. Veered off runway. Nosed over. Original 1948 wheel. Fatigue cracks.

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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