# NTSB NYC07CA101: Stinson 108-3, N6513M, Pompton Plains, NJ, April 20, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 20, 2007, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Pompton Plains, NJ - Coordinates: 40.947498, -74.314445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9475&lon=-74.3144&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65614 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65614/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA101 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during the initial climb for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - stall - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,static ## Analysis The pilot serviced the 1949 Stinson 108-3 with 24 gallons of automotive fuel on the morning of the accident flight. He checked the fuel for the presence of water or debris, performed "a simple alcohol test," and noted no problems. The engine started "perfectly," and he did not note any anomalies during the runup check. At the beginning of the takeoff roll, the engine power was "good," but once airborne, the engine began running "unusually." The pilot looked down at the tachometer and noticed that the rpm had decreased by 300. He checked that the throttle and mixture controls were both in the forward position. As the engine power continued to decrease, the pilot knew he could not turn the airplane back to the runway and would not clear the tops of the trees ahead, so he flew toward a gap in the trees. He attempted to keep the airplane flying as long as he could, but ultimately it entered a "controlled stall," and descended into a power line. The airplane then impacted the ground, erupted in flames, and was consumed by a postimpact fire. Examination of the remaining portions of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical deficiencies. A sample of fuel from the container used to service the airplane was examined, and found absent of debris or water. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he serviced the 1949 Stinson 108-3 with 24 gallons of automotive fuel on the morning of the accident flight. He checked the fuel for the presence of water or debris, performed "a simple alcohol test," and noted no problems. The engine started "perfectly," and he did not note any anomalies during the runup check. At the beginning of the takeoff roll, the engine power was "good," but once airborne, the engine began running "unusually." The pilot looked down at the tachometer and noticed that the rpm had decreased by 300. He checked that the throttle and mixture controls were both in the forward position. As the engine power continued to decrease, the pilot knew he could not turn the airplane back to the runway and would not clear the tops of the trees ahead, so he flew toward a gap in the trees. He attempted to keep the airplane flying as long as he could, but ultimately it entered a "controlled stall," and descended into a power line. The airplane then impacted the ground, erupted in flames, and was consumed by a postimpact fire. Examination of the remaining portions of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical deficiencies. A sample of fuel from the container used to service the airplane was examined, and found absent of debris or water. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6513M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6513M-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 108-4513, built 1949 (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: 4513 - Airframe hours: 3523 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007 - Departed: N07, Lincoln Park, NJ - Destination: EEN, Keene, NH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 10,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 133 in the last 90 days, 76 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 20070420015569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070420015569A), Apr 20, 2007: Univar 1083, Pompton Plains, NJ, Destroyed. (-23) The aircraft departed runway 1, at N07 (lincoln park, NJ). Upon takeoff the pilot noticed the engine power decaying and the aircraft not climbing. The… 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.