# NTSB SEA70D0116: Stinson 108-1, N97963, Ellensburg, WA, November 10, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: November 10, 1969
- Place: Ellensburg, WA · ELLENSBURG, WA
- Location: 47.0001° N, 120.5495° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ellensburg, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0001&lon=-120.5495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 25, 1970
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 144645
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA70D0116
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70D0116

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4470  69/11/10 NR.ELLENSBURG,WASH    STINSON 108-1       CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 45, 2061
        TIME - 1330                    N97963              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 31 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ELLENSBURG,WASH             ELLENSBURG,WASH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      50
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          315                                                       25
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- UNABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF BASIN. DENSITY ALT 5800 FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N97963 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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