# NTSB WPR21LA251: Stinson 108-3, N6548M, Stevenson, WA, June 27, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 27, 2021, 08:28 local (15:28 UTC) - Place: Stevenson, WA - Coordinates: 45.724543, -121.88893 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7245&lon=-121.8889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway incursion veh/AC/person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103362 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103362/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103362 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA251 ## Probable cause A runway incursion, which resulted in a go-around, and subsequent forced landing when the airplane was not able to climb at a rate sufficient to clear approaching rising terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway incursion veh/AC/person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320) (defining event); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Stinson 108-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=9230408), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, he planned to fly one circuit in the traffic pattern, and then land from the south. The landing approach was uneventful, and having reached midfield, he began to initiate the flare. A van then crossed the runway directly in front of the airplane, and the pilot decided to perform a go-around. Although the airplane began to slowly climb, it was not climbing at a rate sufficient to clear the approaching rising terrain, and within a few seconds they reached the end of the runway. The pilot attempted to perform a forced landing into a clearing about 1,000 ft beyond the end of the runway, and shortly after impacting the ground, the airplane caught fire and was destroyed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that standard procedures called for retracting the flaps once a positive rate of climb had been established, however he did not do so because the climb performance was not sufficient. The airport owner reported that, due to rising terrain to the north of the 2,300 ft-long private turf airstrip, landing approaches from the south were recommended. The airstrip was 100 ft wide and bound by trees immediately to the left and right. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6548M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6548M-2021-11-06), registration cancelled 2021-11-06, S/N 108-4548, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STINSON 108-3 - Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 108-4548 - Year built: 1948 - Airframe hours: 3100 - Engines: Franklin 6A-4165-B3 105 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bill Douglas B - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 2020, 30 hours before - Departed: 19WA, Stevenson, WA - Airport: 19WA, Key Way, runway 15/33, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 988 total, 214 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.83 inHg - Observed at: KTTD, 24 nm away - METAR: METAR KTTD 271553Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 29/15 A2983 RMK AO2 SLP101 T02890150= ## 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 20210627013259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210627013259A), Jun 27, 2021: Stinson 108-3, Stevenson, WA, Destroyed. On short final a van drove across the runway from left to right. Pilot attempted to go-around at approximately 30 feet. During climb aircraft was unable to… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103362. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12748040&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Interview summary - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12747939&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=INTERVIEW%20SUMMARY-pilot-Rel.pdf - Interview summary - airport owner (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12748722&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=INTERVIEW%20SUMMARY-AP%20owner-Rel.pdf - Photograph (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 507 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12782013&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.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.