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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

March 7, 1989 · Stinson 108-2 · N150C

Custer, SD

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 7, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Custer, SD
Aircraft
Stinson 108-2
Tail Number
N150C
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN89LA082

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS PERFORMING A FLIGHT FOLLOWING HIS INSTALLATION OF TWO MAGNETOS. A WITNESS AND THE PLT REPORTED THAT ON CLIMB OUT THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT SAID HE HEARD SOMETHING BREAK IN THE ENGINE. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY SOUTH OF THE RUNWAY. AT IMPACT, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLANE CAME TO REST AFTER SLIDING 150 FT. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT BOTH MAGNETOS HAD BEEN INSTALLED WITHOUT COTTER PINS ON THE DRIVE GEAR RETAINING NUTS. THIS RESULTED IN THE NUTS BACKING OFF, DISCONNECTING THE MAGNETOS, AND ONE OF THE GEARS FALLING INTO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN THE REPORTED STOPPAGE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND/OWNER IN THAT THE MAGNETO DRIVE GEAR RETAINING NUTS WERE NOT SAFETIED WHICH RESULTED IN THEM BACKING OFF, DISCONNECTING THE MAGNETOES AND ONE OF THE GEARS FALLING INTO THE ENGINE.

Full Narrative

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS PERFORMING A FLIGHT FOLLOWING HIS INSTALLATION OF TWO MAGNETOS. A WITNESS AND THE PLT REPORTED THAT ON CLIMB OUT THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT SAID HE HEARD SOMETHING BREAK IN THE ENGINE. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY SOUTH OF THE RUNWAY. AT IMPACT, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLANE CAME TO REST AFTER SLIDING 150 FT. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT BOTH MAGNETOS HAD BEEN INSTALLED WITHOUT COTTER PINS ON THE DRIVE GEAR RETAINING NUTS. THIS RESULTED IN THE NUTS BACKING OFF, DISCONNECTING THE MAGNETOS, AND ONE OF THE GEARS FALLING INTO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN THE REPORTED STOPPAGE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 MST
Nearest AirportCuster County (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStinson 108-2
Tail NumberN150C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-165-B3 · Reciprocating · 165
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data