# NTSB MIA97LA068: Stinson 108, N97108, Winter Haven, FL, January 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 20, 1997, 16:41 local (21:41 UTC) - Place: Winter Haven, FL - Coordinates: 28.040615, -81.720191 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0406&lon=-81.7202&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38208 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38208/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA068 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to use carburetor heat for descent resulting in engine failure due to carburetor induction icing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated the engine sputtered and quit while descending through 2,000 feet agl for approach to land. He was not using carburetor heat and had reduced the engine to 2,100 rpm. While landing in a field the aircraft struck trees. After the accident, usable fuel was found in each fuel tank and there was no contamination in the fuel. The engine was started and operated normally. The carburetor heat operated normally. Icing probability curves show the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to serious icing at glide power and visible icing at glide and cruise power. ## Factual narrative On January 20, 1997, about 1641 eastern standard time, a Stinson 108, N97108, registered to a private individual, collided with trees while making a forced landing following loss of engine power, at Winter Haven, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight last departed Palmetto, Florida, the same day, about 1610. The pilot stated he was not using carburetor heat as he descended with the engine set at 2,100 rpm. The engine "sputtered" and quit as he descended through 2,000 feet, 2 miles from the Winter Haven Airport. He did not think he could reach the airport and headed for a field. While making a forced landing in the field the aircraft struck trees. Postcrash examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector showed that each fuel tank contained usable fuel. There was no contamination in the fuel system. After the aircraft was recovered from the crash site, the engine was started and operated normally with no evidence of failure or malfunction. The carburetor heat system operated normally. Carburetor icing probability curves indicate the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power and visible carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. The curves note that visible icing may become serious after 15 minutes. See Icing Probability Curves attached to this report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97108](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97108-1997-06-25), registration cancelled 1997-06-25, S/N 1081108 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-1108 - Airframe hours: 2589 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward E. Westlake - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1996, 53 hours before - Departed: 48X, PALMETTO, FL - Destination: GIF ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 303 total, 41 in this make and model, 266 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAL, 15 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 19970120000689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970120000689A), Jan 20, 1997: Univar 1081, Winter Haven, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power. Struck trees on forced landing. Made throttled back descent sans carb heat. Carb icing in area. 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.