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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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January 5, 1984 · Stinson 108-1 · N97016

Vashon, WA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 5, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Vashon, WA
Aircraft
Stinson 108-1
Tail Number
N97016
Operator
Melvin D Den Herder
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA84FA032

JUST AFTER TAKING OFF IN IMC AT NIGHT, THE ACFT CRASHED NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 36. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE ACFT CLIMBED AFTER TAKEOFF TO ABOUT 200 FT ABOVE THE TREES, THEN ENTERED A DESCENT & DISAPPEARED BEHIND A TREE LINE. AFTER CRASHING, THE ACFT WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. NO ABNORMALITIES OF THE ACFT WERE FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES REPORTED THERE WAS A LOW OVERCAST AT ABOUT 500 FT & OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN. THE ACFT WAS OVERDUE FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION & THE PLT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.142% (142 MG%).

Full Narrative

JUST AFTER TAKING OFF IN IMC AT NIGHT, THE ACFT CRASHED NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 36. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE ACFT CLIMBED AFTER TAKEOFF TO ABOUT 200 FT ABOVE THE TREES, THEN ENTERED A DESCENT & DISAPPEARED BEHIND A TREE LINE. AFTER CRASHING, THE ACFT WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. NO ABNORMALITIES OF THE ACFT WERE FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES REPORTED THERE WAS A LOW OVERCAST AT ABOUT 500 FT & OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN. THE ACFT WAS OVERDUE FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION & THE PLT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.142% (142 MG%).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:10 PST
Nearest AirportWax Orchards (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStinson 108-1
Tail NumberN97016
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMelvin D Den Herder
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-150B3 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data