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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

September 12, 1998 · Stinson 108-1 · N8548K

Tahlequah, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tahlequah, OK
Aircraft
Stinson 108-1
Tail Number
N8548K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA397

The pilot lost control of the airplane during takeoff from runway 17 when a gust of wind pitched the airplane to a 25-30 degrees nose up attitude and rolled the airplane right. The pilot lowered the nose of the aircraft; however, the airplane drifted to the right side of the runway where it impacted the ground with the right wing and subsequently came to rest inverted. The nearest weather observation facility is located at Davis Field near Muskogee, Oklahoma, which is 23 nautical miles southwest of Tahlequah Municipal Airport. At 0953 the facility recorded the winds at 110 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots. A witness stated that he saw 'dust devils' in the vicinity of the airport at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during takeoff. A factor was the gusty wind conditions at the time of the accident.

Full Narrative

On September 12, 1998, at 1100 central daylight time, a Stinson 108-1 tail-wheel equipped airplane, N8548K, was substantially damaged upon impact with the ground during takeoff from the Tahlequah Municipal Airport near Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, who was the owner of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight destined for Okemah, Oklahoma. During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that an annual inspection had just been completed on the airplane and he planned to fly the airplane back to its home base. The pilot stated that the run-up and systems check were normal. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll from runway 17, approximately at rotation speed, a "gust of wind pitched the nose up 25-30 degrees and raised the left wing." The pilot lowered the nose but the airplane drifted to the right side of the runway where it impacted the ground with the right wing, rolled over to the right, impacted the left wing and came to rest inverted. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed no anomalies in the flight control system. The FAA inspector confirmed that the vertical stabilizer and wing spars were bent and the right wing lift strut was broken. The FAA inspector interviewed a witness that stated he saw "dust devils" in the vicinity of the airport at the time of the accident. The nearest weather observation facility is located at Davis Field near Muskogee, Oklahoma, which is 23 nautical miles southwest of Tahlequah Municipal Airport. At 0953 the facility recorded the winds at 110 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 23 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest AirportTahlequah (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStinson 108-1
Tail NumberN8548K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4150 B-3 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 14 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data