# NTSB SEA86FA075: Stinson 108-2, N388C, La Conner, WA, March 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1986, 18:20 local (Mar 11, 1986, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: La Conner, WA
- Coordinates: 48.4099, -122.530586 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4099&lon=-122.5306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40275
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40275/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA075

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT WAS ON APPROACH FOR WATER LANDING IN A CANAL USED DURING PREVIOUS SUMMER FOR FLOATPLANE OPS AT DUSK. PLT WAS LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC BOAT MOORED IN CANAL AS LANDING MARK, EXTENDED APPROACH PATH BEYOND NORMAL TOUCHDOWN POINT. ACFT STRUCK TELEPHONE CABLE SPANNING CANAL SEVERING VERTICAL TAIL AND THROWING ACFT OUT OF CONTROL. ACFT CONTACTED WATER SURFACE IN AGGRAVATED SKID, BOUNCED ONTO SHORELINE, STRIKING BYSTANDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N388C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N388C-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 108-3388, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-3388
- Airframe hours: 4285
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeff Koetje
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 7, 1986, 9 hours before
- Departed: S60, KENMORE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,861 total, 9 in this make and model, 4,197 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °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 19860310021849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860310021849A), Mar 10, 1986: Univar STC108, La Conner, WA, Destroyed. Struck a cable spanning a slough during approach to water landing. Severed vertical fin, bounced, struck bystander.

## Other investigations on N388C (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 OAK79FVD14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FVD14), Mar 4, 1979: Stinson 108-2 (N388C), Tiburon, CA, substantial damage

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.