# NTSB SEA96LA095: Stinson 108-2, N9808K, Cut Bank, MT, May 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 1996, 10:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Cut Bank, MT - Coordinates: 48.649765, -112.840576 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6498&lon=-112.8406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42367 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42367/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA095 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind conditions (crosswind and gusts), and rough terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis After flying over the airport to determine wind direction, the pilot decided to land on runway 31. He reported that the winds were favoring runway 31 during his approach. As he landed and rolled out, the winds shifted to a left crosswind and were gusting. The airplane veered off the edge of the runway onto soft terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was bent. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported. The reported wind conditions at the airport near the time of the accident were: wind direction from a magnetic bearing of 300 degrees at a speed of 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 1996, at 1010 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-2 airplane, operated by the owner/pilot, collided with terrain during landing roll in Cut Bank, Montana, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed from Lethbridge, Canada, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot stated that after flying over the Cut Bank Municipal Airport to determine wind direction, he decided to land on runway 31. The winds were favoring runway 31 during his approach. As he landed and rolled out, the winds "apparently shifted to the left" and were gusting. The airplane "weathervaned" and veered off the edge of the runway onto soft terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was bent. No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions were reported. The reported wind conditions at the airport near the time of the accident were: wind direction from a magnetic bearing of 300 degrees at a speed of 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9808K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9808K), registered now, S/N 108-2808 (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 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2808 - Airframe hours: 3756 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B8 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dreyer, Robert E. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1996, 20 hours before - Departed: CYQL, LETHBRIDGE - Destination: CTB - Airport: CTB, Cutbank Municipal, runway 31, 5,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 168 total, 74 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CTB ## 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 19960519010889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960519010889A), May 19, 1996: Univar 1082, Cut Bank, MT, Substantial damage. Weathervaned into gust landing. Off runway into soft ground. Collapsed right main gear. Exceeded crosswind ability. 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.