# NTSB NYC90LA116: Stinson 108-1, N77WC, Athens, NY, May 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1990, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Athens, NY
- Coordinates: 42.260829, -73.809608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2608&lon=-73.8096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA116

## Probable cause

INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND SUBSEQUENT STALL WHEN THE PILOT'S SEAT BACK FAILED AND THE PILOT HUNG ONTO THE CONTROL WHEEL, RESULTING IN AN EXCESSIVE NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuselage,seat - failure,partial (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT'S SEAT BACK BROKE JUST AFTER THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT TILTED AFT AND PULLED BACK ON THE CONTROL WHEEL. THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED STEEPLY, TURNED RIGHT, STALLED, AND IMPACTED INVERTED. REMEDIAL ACTION WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THE FRACTURE WAS LOCATED ADJACENT TO A WELDED JUNCTION OF THE SEAT BACK ATTACH POINT. EXAMINATION REVEALED THE TUBE FRAME FAILED IN DUCTILE OVERLOAD WITH NO EVIDENCE OF CORROSION OF FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N77WC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-279
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rodney C. Geiger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: NY03, Athens, runway 20, 2,600 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

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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