# NTSB NYC04LA060: Stinson 108-3, N6234M, Sanford, ME, January 25, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 25, 2004, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Sanford, ME - Coordinates: 43.39389, -70.708053 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3939&lon=-70.7081&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58659 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58659/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA060 ## Probable cause An engine fire for undetermined reasons during start-up. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, standing - starting engine(s) - powerplant - fire - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) ## Analysis The pilot primed the engine four times, and attempted a start-up. The engine initially started, but did not continue to run. The pilot then primed the engine two more times and attempted a restart. The engine did not restart, and the pilot noted smoke coming from the engine area. The pilot then exited the airplane, observed a fire, and tried to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. However, strong winds accelerated the fire, and the airplane was consumed. An examination of the wreckage could not determine the exact origin of the fire. The reported wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 280 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 21 knots. ## Factual narrative On January 25, 2004, about 0900 eastern standard time, a Stinson 108-3, N6234M, was destroyed during engine start, while standing at Sanford Regional Airport (SFM), Sanford, Maine. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned flight to Boire Field, Nashua, New Hampshire. No flight plan was filed for the intended personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he primed the engine four times, and attempted a start-up. The engine initially started, but did not continue to run. The pilot then primed the engine two more times and attempted a restart. The engine did not restart, and the pilot noted smoke coming from the engine area. The pilot then exited the airplane and observed a fire in the engine compartment. He tried to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher; however, the airplane was consumed. The pilot further stated that the fire originated in the carburetor box, and strong winds accelerated the fire. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. The inspector stated that the fire originated somewhere in the engine compartment, but he could not determine the exact location. The reported wind at SFM, at 0855, were from 280 at 11 knots, gusting to 21 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6234M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6234M-2004-03-06), registration cancelled 2004-03-06, S/N 108-4234, built 1948 (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: 108-4234 - Airframe hours: 1933 - Engines: Franklin 6A4165 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Laverne Haas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2003, 75 hours before - Departed: SFM, Sanford, ME - Destination: ASH, Nashua, NH - Airport: SFM, Sanford Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 28, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 360 total, 75 in this make and model, 344 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -2 °F, dew point -24 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: SFM ## 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 20040125000939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040125000939A), Jan 25, 2004: Univar 1083, Sanford, ME, Destroyed. (-23) Mr. Haas the owner and pilot of the aircraft went to the aircraft aftr breakfast. He tried to start it and it stalled, tried again with no success. He… 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.