# NTSB SEA94LA204: Stinson 108-3, N6276M, Bend, OR, August 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 1994, 14:05 local (21:05 UTC) - Place: Bend, OR - Coordinates: 44.069458, -121.249664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0695&lon=-121.2497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41993 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41993/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA204 ## Probable cause IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr) - aircraft performance,climb capability - restricted - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT MADE TWO APPROACHES TO THE AIRPORT IN AN ATTEMPT TO LAND. BOTH TIMES, SHE MADE GO-AROUNDS. DURING THE SECOND GO-AROUND, THE PILOT DID NOT SHUT OFF THE CARBURETOR HEAT. SHE NOTED A DECREASE IN ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB. SHE DECIDED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A FIELD. HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED ROUGH TERRAIN AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AFTER THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE CARBURETOR HEAT VALVE WAS FOUND IN THE OPEN POSITION. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 1994, about 1405 Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N6276M, operated by the owner/pilot, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Bend, Oregon. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed from Sunriver, Oregon, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot during an interview one day after the accident, light and variable winds were reported by the unicom frequency after the pilot requested an airport advisory for landing at the Bend Municipal Airport. The pilot stated that she approached runway 34, touched down, bounced, and decided to execute a go-around. She entered downwind for runway 34 again, and then decided to land on runway 16 instead. She "...overshot the runway" during the approach and executed another go-around. The pilot stated that she raised the flaps during the go-around, but could not remember cutting off the carburetor heat. The pilot stated that the airplane was not climbing and the engine could not generate full power. In a written statement, she stated that she was "scared" at this time, so she performed a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing, the landing gear collapsed as the airplane rolled along rough terrain and was substantially damaged. An examination of the engine (report attached) by an FAA aviation safety inspector from Hillsboro, Oregon, did not reveal any evidence of a pre-impact mechanical malfunction. The examination also revealed that the carburetor heat valve was found in the open position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6276M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6276M-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 108-4276, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108-3 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-4206 - Airframe hours: 2615 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Love, Janet E. - Registered owner: Love, Janet E. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1993, 33 hours before - Departed: S21, SUNRIVER, OR - Airport: S07, Bend Muni, runway 16, 5,005 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 368 total, 56 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19940804049069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940804049069A), Aug 4, 1994: Univar 1083, Bend, OR, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot made two approaches to the airport in an attempt to land. Both times, she made go-arounds. During the second go-around, the pilot did not shut… ## Other investigations on N6276M (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 SEA94LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA173), Jul 8, 1994: Stinson 108-3 (N6276M), Ione, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S FATIGUE, AND TREES NEAR THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. 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.