# NTSB NYC00LA043: Stinson 108, N89F, Grove City, PA, November 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 28, 1999, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Grove City, PA - Coordinates: 41.150138, -80.079879 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1501&lon=-80.0799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47841 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47841/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA043 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing rollout. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis During the landing rollout, the flight instructor said, 'I got it' and the student pilot relinquished the flight controls to him. The airplane then 'sharply, and suddenly' veered off the left side of the runway, impacted the opposite side of a ravine, and came to rest 200 feet from the centerline of the runway. There were no brake pedals on the right side of the airplane, and the parking brake knob was located on the 'far left panel.' Examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact mechanical deficiencies. The flight instructor reported 400 hours of total tailwheel experience, 5 hours of which were in the make and model of the accident airplane. The student pilot reported 3 hours of total flight experience, all of which were in the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative On November 28, 1999, about 1000 Eastern Standard Time, a Stinson 108, N89F, was substantially damaged during landing at the Grove City Airport (29D), Grove City, Pennsylvania. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot/owner received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The CFI stated that he and the student pilot departed 29D about 0900, for a "local training flight." An hour later they returned to the airport to make a full stop landing on Runway 28, a 4,500 foot long, 75 foot wide asphalt runway. According to the CFI, "there was no apparent cross wind drift" and the student pilot was "tracking well on the approach." At the point of touchdown, the airplane "sharply, and suddenly veered to the left." The CFI stated that they then lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane traveled off the side of the runway, impacted the opposite side of a 15 foot deep ravine, and came to rest 200 feet from the centerline. The CFI reported there were no brake pedals on the right side of the airplane, and the parking brake knob was located on the "far left panel," which was blocked by the student pilot. The student pilot reported that this was his second flight in the accident airplane. He stated that he and the CFI had flown for about an hour when they returned to the airport for a full-stop landing. The student pilot reported there was "little wind" on the day of the accident, and his landing on Runway 28 was "perfect." During the landing rollout, the CFI said, "I got it" and the student pilot then relinquished the controls to him. Immediately after the CFI took over, the airplane veered off the runway and impacted a ditch, at 40-50 mph. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the airplane while it was in the ravine. He stated the fuselage and instrument panel were buckled, one propeller blade was bent backwards 45 degrees, and the engine mounts and firewall were damaged. The FAA Inspector further examined the airplane after it was removed from the ravine, and reported no pre-impact mechanical deficiencies. The CFI reported 2,113 hours of total flight experience, and about 400 hours of total tailwheel experience, 5 hours of which were in the make and model of the accident airplane. The student pilot reported 3 hours of total flight experience, all of which were in the accident airplane. The winds at an airport 19 miles away, at 0955, were from 260 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89F-2000-10-03), registration cancelled 2000-10-03, S/N 108-1549 (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: 108-1549 - Engines: Franklin 6A4150 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: George Rieder - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 29D - Airport: 29D, Grove City Airport, runway 28, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,100 total, 5 in this make and model, 2,070 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FKL, 19 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 19991128047659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991128047659A), Nov 28, 1999: Univar 1081, Grove City, PA, Substantial damage. (.4) During the landing rollout, the flight instructor said, 'I got it' and the student pilot relinquished the flight controls to him. The airplane then… 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.