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NTSB Report
September 8, 1990 · Stinson 108-1 · N8631K
Gallup, NM
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Gallup, NM
Aircraft
Stinson 108-1
Tail Number
N8631K
Operator
Mcdonald Rick L
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN90FA182
HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF. IN ADDITION, THE AIRCRAFT WAS WITHIN 25 POUNDS OF MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED CLIMBING TO ABOUT 100 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT THEN BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE, ENTERED A STEEP BANK, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 9,100 FEET.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLING HIS AIRCRAFT AT AN INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO EFFECT A RECOVERY. A FACTOR WAS HIGH DENSITY ATTITUDE.
Full Narrative
HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF. IN ADDITION, THE AIRCRAFT WAS WITHIN 25 POUNDS OF MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED CLIMBING TO ABOUT 100 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT THEN BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE, ENTERED A STEEP BANK, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 9,100 FEET.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:59 MDT
Nearest AirportMunicipal (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length6298 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftStinson 108-1
Tail NumberN8631K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMcdonald Rick L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-150-B3 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 10 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:59
Weather SourceWFAC