# NTSB WPR10CA303: Stinson 108-1, N8706K, Townsend, MT, June 14, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2010, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Townsend, MT - Coordinates: 46.331111, -111.482498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3311&lon=-111.4825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76389 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76389/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76389 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA303 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis Earlier in the day the pilot had discovered a minor engine oil leak in his airplane. The leak was fixed by a certificated airframe and power plant mechanic and the pilot then changed the airplane's oil. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to make sure that the oil leak was repaired. He flew one circuit in the traffic pattern and landed normally. The pilot reported that he had full control of the airplane until he applied the brakes. According to the pilot, he "applied [the brakes] a little too soon," and the airplane veered to the right and exited the runway. In the grass on the side of the runway, the airplane momentarily nosed down and the propeller touched the ground. The airplane then settled back down normally with the engine stopped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and main wing spar. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative Earlier in the day the pilot had discovered a minor engine oil leak in his airplane. The leak was fixed by a certificated airframe and power plant mechanic and the pilot then changed the airplane's oil. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to make sure that the oil leak was repaired. He flew one circuit in the traffic pattern and landed normally. The pilot reported that he had full control of the airplane until he applied the brakes. According to the pilot, he "applied [the brakes] a little too soon," and the airplane veered to the right and exited the runway. In the grass on the side of the runway, the airplane momentarily nosed down and the propeller touched the ground. The airplane then settled back down normally with the engine stopped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and main wing spar. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8706K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8706K-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 108-1706, 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: [Lycoming 0-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-435) (registry code 41516, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-1706 - Airframe hours: 2287 - Engines: LYCOMING O-435-C 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Nelson Matthew A - Registered owner: Nelson Matthew A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 2010, 15 hours before - Departed: 8U8, Townsend, MT - Destination: 8U8, Townsend, MT - Airport: 8U8, Townsend, runway 34, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 890 total, 391 in this make and model, 730 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: HLN, 26 nm away ## 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 20100614035009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100614035009A), Jun 14, 2010: Stinson 108-1, Townsend, MT, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Said that it was a clear day with no wind. He intended to make one takeoff, traffic pattern, and landing. He stated the touchdown on… ## Other investigations on N8706K (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 FTW68O0006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68O0006), Jul 31, 1967: Stinson 108-1 (N8706K), Reynosa, Mexico, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 14, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76389. 576 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 576 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.