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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 17, 1998 · Stinson 108-1 · N97876

Tecumseh, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 17, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tecumseh, MI
Aircraft
Stinson 108-1
Tail Number
N97876
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA132

The pilot reported that after making a wheel landing. the airplane began to weather vane to the left. He reported applying the right brake at which time the tail began to rise. He stated he did not have enough elevator authority to lower the tail and the propeller contacted the ground. The airplane slid 18 feet on the cowling prior to it nosing over. The landing was made on runway 36 with reported winds, 11 miles away, from 280 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factors were wind gusts and crosswind.

Full Narrative

On April 17, 1998, at 1750 eastern daylight time (edt), a Stinson 108- 1, N97876, operated by an Airline Transport Rated pilot nosed over at the end of a landing roll at the Merillat Airport, Tecumseh, Michigan. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated in Croswell, Michigan. The pilot reported he landed on runway 36 (4,900' x 100') with a gusty wind from the west. He stated he made a wheel landing and "...as the aircraft slowed the right main came down and the aircraft started to weather vane to the west." He reported he applied a little right brake at which time the "...tail came up... ." He reported that he did not have enough elevator authority to lower the tail and the propeller hit the terrain. The pilot reported the airplane slid on the lower cowling for about 18' prior to the airplane nosing over. Wind conditions reported at Adrian, Michigan, 11 miles southwest of the accident site, at 1753 edt, were from 280 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:50 EDT
Nearest AirportMERILLAT (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length4900 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStinson 108-1
Tail NumberN97876
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-150-B3 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 11 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 28 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data