# NTSB SEA78FA053: Stinson 108E, N4122C, Enumclaw, WA, August 10, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 10, 1978
- Place: Enumclaw, WA · ENUMCLAW, WA
- Location: 47.2022° N, 121.9890° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Enumclaw, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2022&lon=-121.9890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 21, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FA053
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA053

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2642  78/8/10    ENUMCLAW,WA         STINSON 108E        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 51, 250
        TIME - 1102                    N4122C              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 100 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SEATTLE,WA                  SPOKANE,WA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           SYSTEMS - OTHER SYSTEMS: VACUUM SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - SELF-HELP,PILOT CHECKED WEATHER DATA
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    1200
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      56
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          170                                                       7
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      VFR
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- VACUUM PUMP HOSE SPLIT EXPOSING CORDS THAT WERE FRAYED & GRAYISH IN COLOR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4122C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4122C-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 108-5122, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108E
- Registry model: [Universal Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780810030179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780810030179A), Aug 10, 1978: Univar 1083, Enumclaw, WA, Destroyed. Vacuum pump hose split exposing cords that were frayed & grayish olor.

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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