# NTSB SEA96LA179: Stinson 108-3, Culbertson, MT, August 6, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1996, 18:30 local (Aug 6, 1996, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Culbertson, MT
- Coordinates: 48.080219, -104.560653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0802&lon=-104.5607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42437
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42437/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA179

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control; and her inadequate remedial action for gusty winds after the aircraft departed the runway.  Factors relating to the accident were: the strong and gusty crosswinds.

## 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 - high wind (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
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

While attempting to land in strong, gusty crosswinds, the pilot was unable to keep the aircraft from departing the runway. After it departed the runway, the pilot attempted to complete the roll-out on the grassy area that ran along the side of the runway, but the aircraft was hit by a strong gust and nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On August 5, 1996, approximately 1830 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, C-GYYF, registered to and being flown by a Canadian private pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control and subsequent nose over during the landing roll at the Culbertson Airport, Culbertson, Montana. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated  from Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The pilot reported that on the leg from Wahpeton, North Dakota, to Poplar, Montana, she encountered strong headwinds and turbulence, and therefore decided to return to Culbertson to land. Upon arrival at Culbertson, she encountered strong, gusty wind conditions. While landing on runway 26, the aircraft was hit by the gusty crosswinds and  departed the runway.  While the pilot was attempting to complete the roll-out on the grassy area that ran along the side of the runway, the aircraft was hit by another gust and nosed over.

Strong, gusty winds prevailed throughout northeastern Montana at the time of the accident, and according to the pilot, the winds at Culbertson were gusting to 40 knots at the time of her landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGYYF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Stinson 108-3
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-4516
- Airframe hours: 1000
- Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Smith, Selina, B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1996, 89 hours before
- Departed: BWP, WAHPETON, ND
- Destination: S85
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: S85, Big Sky Field, runway 26, 3,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 372 total, 193 in this make and model, 304 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 24 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

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.

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