# NTSB SEA81FA033: Stinson 108-2, N9279K, Ellensburg, WA, May 3, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 3, 1981
- 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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 6 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA81FA033
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FA033

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1011   81/5/3  NR.ELLENSBURG,WA      STINSON 108-2       CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 39, 346
        TIME - 1010                    N9279K              PX-  0  5  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 17 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ELLENSBURG,WA                WENATCHEE,WA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,AND ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        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                                                      52
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- UNABLE TO OUT CLIMB TERRAIN DUE TO DOWNDRAFTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9279K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9279K-1981-10-14), registration cancelled 1981-10-14, S/N 108-2279 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (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 19810503021149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810503021149A), May 3, 1981: Univar 108, Ellensburg, WA, Destroyed. Indicates a stall in a steep turn in a downdraft, trying to turn away from rising terrain.

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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