# NTSB WPR23LA359: Stinson 108-1, N9128K, San Diego, CA, September 27, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 27, 2023, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA · airport environment - Coordinates: 32.826222, -116.97244 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8262&lon=-116.9724&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 193159 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA359 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193159/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193159 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA359 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusty wind conditions that resulted in a ground loop. ## 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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Stinson 108-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=9230404), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that upon arrival at the destination airport the reported wind conditions were variable wind at 10 knots gusting to 12 knots. The pilot reported that he performed a 3-point landing; on touch down, he was not able to maintain center line due to gusty southern crosswinds and the airplane ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9128K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9128K), registered now, S/N 108-2128, 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: 108-2128 - Year built: 1947 - Engines: Franklin 6A4150-B3 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 2023, 5.57 hours before - Departed: PVT, Porterville, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Fld, runway 27R, 5,342 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 28, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,853 total, 1,118 in this make and model, 1,182 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KSEE - METAR: KSEE 272147Z 23011KT 10SM SKC 28/14 A2986 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193159. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16235530&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N9128K%206120%20WPR23LA359_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Mechanic statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16235424&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20WPR23LA359-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16234808&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR23LA359-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.