# NTSB MKC89LA174: Stinson L-5, N68591, Minneapolis, MN, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1989, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 44.929241, -93.459213 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9292&lon=-93.4592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA174

## Probable cause

THE PILOT SELECTED THE WRONG RUNWAY AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE CROSSWIND WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF WITH A 90 DEGREE CROSSWIND FROM THE LEFT AT ABOUT 14 KNOTS, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. AN ALTERNATE RUNWAY INTO THE WIND WAS AVALABLE, BUT WAS NOT SELECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68591](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68591), registered now, S/N 42-98667 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON L-5
- Registry model: [Stinson L-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-l-5) (registry code 8630202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-435A/0-435C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435a-0-435c) (registry code 41517, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 42-98667
- Airframe hours: 3025
- Engines: LYCOMING O-435 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Confederate Air Force
- Registered owner: Confederate Air Force
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1989, 16 hours before
- Departed: FCM
- Destination: STP, ST PAUL, MN
- Airport: FCM, Flying Cloud, runway 9, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 433 total, 17 in this make and model, 386 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 14 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FCM, 1 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 19890806027449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890806027449A), Aug 6, 1989: Stnson L5, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. Lost control trying to takeoff in strong crosswind. Left runway and moved over.

## Other investigations on N68591 (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 FTW99LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA271), Sep 29, 1999: Stinson L-5 (N68591), Woodward, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The in-flight separation of the tip of a wood propeller blade. Contributing factors were the soft terrain and ditch encountered during the precautionary landing.

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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