# NTSB SEA00LA111: Stinson 108-1, N8865K, Mountain Home, ID, June 21, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 2000, 18:35 local (Jun 21, 2000, 00:35 UTC) - Place: Mountain Home, ID - Coordinates: 43.360351, -115.519737 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3604&lon=-115.5197&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 May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49482 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49482/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to takeoff in unfavorable weather conditions without first calculating takeoff performance data. Factors include gusty winds, downdrafts, terrain-induced turbulence, and rough/uneven terrain where the pilot elected to make the precautionary landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - performance data - not calculated, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence,terrain induced (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot took off without first performing the calculations that would determine if the aircraft could out-climb the surrounding terrain under the ambient conditions. Because of the gusty winds, turbulence, downdrafts, and high density altitude, it became evident soon after takeoff that the aircraft might sink into the unfavorable terrain along the departure route. The pilot therefore elected to make a precautionary landing in an open field. During the landing roll on the rough/uneven terrain, one main gear collapsed and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2000, approximately 1835 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-1, N8865K, experienced a gear collapse during a precautionary landing just after takeoff from Mountain Home Municipal Airport, Mountain Home, Idaho. The private pilot received minor injuries, but his passenger was not injured. The aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The flight, which was in the process of departing for Evergreen field, Vancouver, Washington, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. The ELT, which was activated during the accident sequence, was turned off at the scene. The pilot, who had not calculated takeoff performance data prior to the attempted departure, was departing in strong, gusty winds, with a temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the aircraft reached about 75 feet above the ground, it encountered moderate turbulence and sinking air. Because it appeared that the aircraft might not out-climb the unfavorable terrain along the planned departure route, the pilot elected to make a precautionary landing in an open field. He reported that the touchdown was successful, but during the landing roll, one of the main gear encountered rough/uneven terrain and folded over. Based on a field elevation of 3,164 feet, a temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.05 inches of Mercury, the density altitude at the time of departure was approximately 5,100 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8865K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8865K-2001-02-12), registration cancelled 2001-02-12, S/N 108-1865 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-1 - Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-1865 - Airframe hours: 1581 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Henry D. Wilmes - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2000, 38 hours before - Departed: U76, MOUNTAIN HOME, MT - Destination: 59S, VANCOUVER, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 265 total, 105 in this make and model, 214 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 20000620008439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000620008439A), Jun 20, 2000: Mountain Home, ID, No damage. (-23) The a/c departed runway 27 at Mountain Home, Idaho. The pilot reported that at 30 feet AGL, the a/c stopped generating lift. The pilot elected to make an… ## Other investigations on N8865K (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA95LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA204), Sep 4, 1995: Stinson 108-1 (N8865K), Corvallis, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: SHEARING OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SHOCK STRUT RETAINER CAP RETAINING PINS. 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.