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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 5, 1996 · Stinson 108-3 · N6179M

Pontiac, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Pontiac, MI
Aircraft
Stinson 108-3
Tail Number
N6179M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA138

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the wind caught the airplane's tail and raised the right wing. He stated the left wingtip contacted the runway and the airplane ground looped. The airplane then nosed over before coming to rest. The pilot reported that the winds were from 350 degrees at 12 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll. A factor relating to the accident was: the crosswind condition.

Full Narrative

On April 5, 1996, at 1807 eastern daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N6179M, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a crosswind landing on runway 27R (3251' x 75') at the Oakland-Pontiac Airport, Pontiac, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Pontiac, Michigan, exact time unknown. In a written statement, the pilot reported that during the landing roll the wind caught the airplane's tail and raised the right wing. The airplane's speed was about 10 miles per hour when the right wingtip raised up. Shortly after this, the left wingtip contacted the runway and the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane nosed over onto its propeller spinner during the ground loop action. The pilot said the winds were from 350 degrees magnetic at 12 knots. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Principal Operations Inspector (POI), the pilot told him he had about 300 hours in the Stinson 108-3 airplane. The POI said the pilot told him he had flown about 1 hour in the last 90 days. The pilot's last training in tailwheel airplanes was during 1993. Actual pilot flight time records were not found by the pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:07 EST
Nearest AirportOakland-Pontiac (0nm)
Runway27R
Runway Length3251 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStinson 108-3
Tail NumberN6179M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-165-B3 · Reciprocating · 165
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:07
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data