# NTSB NYC95LA096: Stinson 108-2, N978D, Clarion, PA, April 23, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1995, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Clarion, PA
- Coordinates: 41.249465, -79.459426 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2495&lon=-79.4594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38951/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA096

## Probable cause

A PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.

## 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,normal brake system - failure,partial (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL A GUST OF WIND TURNED THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT.  HE APPLIED RIGHT BRAKE FOR CORRECTION, BUT THIS WAS INEFFECTIVE. THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND NOSED OVER. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT BOTH BRAKE PEDALS WERE SPONGY. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE RIGHT BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED SLIGHTLY AND THEN REAPPLIED, IT WOULD BOTTOM OUT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR.

## Factual narrative

On April 23, 1995, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Stinson 108-2, N978D, piloted and owned by Dan D. Kibler, on a personal flight, was substantially damaged during landing at Clarion County Airport, Clarion, Pennsylvania.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual Meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight was being conducted under CFR 14 Part 91.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated,

Was making normal landing at Clarion County Airport on      runway 6.  Airplane was on the runway in a final roll      out, when a gust of strong wind caught the left side of      tail and turned aircraft to the left.  Right brake      failed and was unable to make necessary correction to      keep airplane on runway....[The] airplane veered to      [the] left [and] went down over high embankment and      nosed over.

An inspection of the airplane's brake system was performed by Shippenville Aviation, Shippenville, Pennsylvania under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector.  The inspection revealed that both brake pedals were slightly spongy.  However, when the right pedal was released slightly, and then reapplied, it would bottom out and go to the floor.  This test was performed several times, with the same results each time.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N978D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N978D-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 108-2978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2
- Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2978
- Airframe hours: 1535
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dan D. Kibler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1994, 20 hours before
- Departed: N97, CLEARFIELD, PA
- Destination: 11D
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 11D, Clarion County, runway 6, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,061 total, 500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BVI, 52 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 19950423049709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950423049709A), Apr 23, 1995: Univar 1082, Clarion, PA, Substantial damage. (-16) According to a statement by the pilot, he applied right brake to counteract a left cross wind. Brake had no effect. A statement was also given to this…

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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