# NTSB NYC06CA200: Stinson 108, N97541, Meadville, PA, August 11, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 11, 2006, 15:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Meadville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.6394, -80.140975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6394&lon=-80.1410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64312
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64312/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA200

## Probable cause

The owner's failure to install the proper tailwheel spring clips, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll.  A factor was his lack of a mechanic certificate.

## 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
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - improper (cause)
  - lack of certification, owner/pilot mechanic (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, owner/pilot mechanic (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

During the landing roll, the Stinson 108 began a left turn.  The pilot applied opposite rudder to counter the turn, but was unsuccessful.  The airplane departed the runway, struck a ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.  Examination of the wreckage revealed that the tailwheel spring clips had disconnected from the tailwheel springs, and were stretched and distorted.  About 2 weeks before the accident, the owner of the airplane installed a new tailwheel and elected not to install the tailwheel spring clips provided with the kit, but instead to use the clips that were already on the airplane.  The owner was not a certificated mechanic, nor did he consult with a mechanic during the installation process.

## Factual narrative

During the landing roll, the Stinson 108 began a left turn.  The pilot applied opposite rudder to counter the turn, but was unsuccessful.  The airplane departed the runway, struck a ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.  Examination of the wreckage revealed that the tailwheel spring clips had disconnected from the tailwheel springs, and were stretched and distorted.  About 2 weeks before the accident, the owner of the airplane installed a new tailwheel and elected not install the tailwheel spring clips provided with the kit, but instead to use the clips that were already on the airplane.  The owner was not a certificated mechanic, nor did he consult with a mechanic during the installation process.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97541](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97541-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N 108-541, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Stinson 108
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-541
- Engines: Franklin 6-A4-150-B3 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ERI, Erie, PA
- Destination: GKJ, Meadville, PA
- Airport: GKJ, Port Meadville Airport, runway 7

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 296 total, 0 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060811028869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060811028869A), Aug 11, 2006: Univar 1081, Meadville, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) At 1545, on August 11, 2006, a Stinson 108-1 touched down near 1000 feet from the approach end of runway 7, and soon began a slow swerve to the left,…

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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