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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

August 14, 1997 · Stinson 108 · N97959

Fairbanks, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Aircraft
Stinson 108
Tail Number
N97959
Operator
Stephen P Bruss
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC97LA122

The pilot was attempting to land on an off-airport ridgetop with a 20 knot left crosswind, gusting to 30 knots. The airplane touched down and bounced into the air. The pilot briskly applied full throttle, realized that the engine would not accelerate rapidly from idle, and closed the throttle to land. The airplane drifted off the right side of the strip, and nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the crosswind.

Full Narrative

On August 13, 1997, at 2130 Alaska daylight time, N97959, a Stinson 108 tailwheel airplane, equipped with 8.5-by 10- inch tires, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during landing, 62 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The solo commercial certificated pilot was uninjured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and had originated from the Nordale Strip in Fairbanks at 1930. Daylight visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was attempting to land on a 1,400 feet long, ridgetop landing site at 4,800 feet msl, near Lime Peak, Alaska. The purpose of the flight was to pick up the airplane's owner and one other passenger. The owner and pilot both stated that the winds were a left crosswind, 20 knots gusting to 30 knots, and rolling over the ridge. The owner observed the airplane touchdown, bounce into the air, land again, turn to the right, and nose over onto its back. The pilot stated in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report that after bouncing into the air, he intended to go around, and briskly applied full throttle. He said he was familiar with this airplane and engine design, and was aware that it would not accelerate from idle when the throttle was applied rapidly. When he realized that the engine was not going to accelerate, he closed the throttle and committed to land. The pilot described the airplane drifting right, and nosing over. The owner stated they turned on the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) initially. They turned it off at night to save batteries, then turned it on again in the morning. They were rescued by an Alaska National Guard helicopter at 1300 on August 14, 1997.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStinson 108
Tail NumberN97959
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStephen P Bruss
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-150-B31 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 20 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data