# NTSB SEA96LA156: Stinson 108-1, N8692K, Arock, OR, July 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 1996, 19:30 local (Jul 12, 1996, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Arock, OR - Location: 42.9140° N, 117.5252° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arock, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9140&lon=-117.5252&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42419 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42419/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA156 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. The tailwind was a related factor. ## 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 - tailwind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that approximately one hour after departure, her four year old daughter needed to go to the bathroom. The pilot decided to land the airplane on a flat dry lake bed. She stated that there was nothing around to indicate the wind direction. After conversing with her husband, who was also a pilot, they decided to land to the west. During the landing roll, the airplane began to ground loop. The pilot tried to make corrections; however, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing contacted the surface. The pilot reported that after the accident, the wind was blowing from the east at approximately ten knots. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 1996, at 1930 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-1, N8692K, operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain while landing on a dry lake bed located 33 miles southwest of Arock, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and her two passengers were not injured. The flight had originated from Nampa, Idaho about one hour prior to the accident. The pilot reported that a landing was made to a dry lake bed because her four year old daughter (rear seat passenger) needed to go to the bathroom. The pilot stated that the terrain was completely flat and there was nothing around to determine the wind direction. After conversing with her husband, who is also a pilot, they decided that the wind was coming out of the west and the approach and landing was made to the west. After touch down, the airplane began to ground loop. The pilot started to make corrections, however, the left landing gear collapsed and the left wing contacted the ground. After the accident, the pilot reported that the wind direction was from 70 degrees at ten knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8692K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8692K-2017-10-27), registration cancelled 2017-10-27, S/N 108-1692, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson 108-1 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-1) (registry code 9230404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-1692 - Airframe hours: 2649 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Leanne T. Jopson - Registered owner: Charles M. Jopson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1996, 2 hours before - Departed: S67, NAMPA, ID - Destination: O89, FALL RIVER MILL, CA - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 325 total, 310 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 10 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19960711047589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960711047589A), Jul 11, 1996: Univar 1081, Arock, OR, Substantial damage. (-16) The pilot stated that an unscheduled landing was made on a dry lake bed, because her young daughter needed to go to the bathroom. She said she misjudged… 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.