# NTSB SEA99LA012: Stinson 108-2, N9755K, Rainier, WA, November 8, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 8, 1998, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Rainier, WA - Coordinates: 46.869178, -122.660964 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8692&lon=-122.6610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45312 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45312/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA012 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects in the approach path. Factors include the marked wires near the end of the runway. ## Analysis A witness stated that 'the approach appeared normal, when the plane suddenly pitched nose down into the ground and flipped.' The pilot stated to deputies that this was his first flight in the accident aircraft, and that 'he must have lost altitude more quickly than he realized, and caught the power lines.' The airplane impacted and came to rest inverted at the northwest end of the airstrip. In a written statement, the pilot noted that the runway has a displaced threshold, and that he was aiming at the green runway markers. He stated that the aircraft sank into the wires; the landing gear caught the wires and the airplane went in on the nose and flipped upside down. The pilot also noted that he may have experienced windshear. ## Factual narrative On November 8,1998, approximately 1015 Pacific standard time, a Stinson 108-2, N9755K, operated as a 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, struck a power line and subsequently impacted terrain during approach to landing at the Flying B Airport, a private airport located approximately 4 nautical miles east of Rainier, Washington. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the local flight, and there was no report of an ELT actuating. The Flying B Airport has one runway, 13/31, a 2,200- by 60-foot turf-surface runway. Runway 13 is obstructed by 30-foot power lines marked with orange balls. A witness to the accident, who reported to responding Thurston County sheriff's deputies that he was watching the airplane land from the west side of Morris Road (west of the runway), stated that "the approach appeared normal, when the plane suddenly pitched nose down into the ground and flipped." The pilot reported to responding sheriff's deputies that "he [had] recently finished overhauling the plane", that this was his first flight in the accident aircraft, and that "he must have lost altitude more quickly than he realized, and caught the power lines." The airplane impacted and came to rest inverted approximately at the northwest end of the airstrip. In a written statement, the pilot noted that the runway has a displaced threshold, and that he was aiming at the green runway markers. He stated that the aircraft sank into the wires; the landing gear caught the wires and the airplane went in on the nose and flipped upside down. He noted that he may have had a windshear problem. ## 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 - object - wire,static(marked) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9755K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9755K), registered now, S/N 108-2755, 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: 108-2755 - Airframe hours: 977 - Engines: Franklin 6A4-165-B4 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Duane R. Fisher - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1997, 4 hours before - Departed: 8WA0 - Airport: 8WA0, Flying B, runway 13, 2,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,392 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °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 19981108031879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981108031879A), Nov 8, 1998: Univar 1082, Rainier, WA, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on landing. (-23)pilot said this was his first flight in several years in this make and model. He said he just got a little slow and low,… 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.