# NTSB SEA84FA032: Stinson 108-1, N97016, Vashon, WA, January 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1984, 20:10 local (Jan 5, 1984, 04:10 UTC)
- Place: Vashon, WA
- Coordinates: 47.420326, -122.450736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4203&lon=-122.4507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39787
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39787/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA032

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKING OFF IN IMC AT NIGHT, THE ACFT CRASHED NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 36. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE ACFT CLIMBED AFTER TAKEOFF TO ABOUT 200 FT ABOVE THE TREES, THEN ENTERED A DESCENT & DISAPPEARED BEHIND A TREE LINE. AFTER CRASHING, THE ACFT WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. NO ABNORMALITIES OF THE ACFT WERE FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES REPORTED THERE WAS A LOW OVERCAST AT ABOUT 500 FT & OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN. THE ACFT WAS OVERDUE FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION & THE PLT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.142% (142 MG%).

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97016](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97016-2009-09-18), registration cancelled 2009-09-18, S/N 108-1016, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-1
- Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-1016
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150B3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Melvin D. Den Herder
- Registered owner: Elliot Z. Crable
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 1982
- Airport: WA69, Wax Orchards, runway 36, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 339 total, 78 in this make and model, 268 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19840104014869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840104014869A), Jan 4, 1984: Univar 1081, Vashon, WA, Destroyed. Stalled and crashed off end of the runway during a night takeoff. Found fouled spark plugs. Pilot intoxication.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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