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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

June 30, 2002 · Stinson 108-3 · N6968M

Falcon, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Falcon, CO
Aircraft
Stinson 108-3
Tail Number
N6968M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN02LA062

The pilot reported that on takeoff roll and at 40 miles per hour, he raised the tail of the airplane. Shortly after, the airplane started moving to the left of the center of the runway. The pilot reported he applied right rudder, but the airplane continued moving left as if a brake was dragging. The pilot reduced power in an attempt to abort the takeoff, but the airplane continued left off of the runway into the grass. The propeller struck the ground and the airplane went up on its nose and over on its back. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. The reported winds at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 9 miles south-southwest of the airport was 100 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The owner of a fixed-base operation on the airport said that the winds were out of the west that day, approximately 260 degrees, and they were gusting. The owner could not provide an estimate of the wind speed, but said the winds were strong enough that they suspended flying operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll and subsequent abort. Factors relating to the accident were the gusting crosswinds and the unsuitable terrain encountered when the airplane departed the runway.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 2002, at 1545 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N6968M, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when during initial takeoff roll, the airplane departed the left edge of runway 15 (6,000 feet by 60 feet, dry asphalt) at Meadow Lake Airport (OOV), Colorado Springs, Colorado, and nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight was originating when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that on takeoff roll and at 40 miles per hour, he raised the tail of the airplane. Shortly thereafter, the airplane started moving to the left of runway centerline. The pilot reported he applied right rudder, but the airplane continued moving left as if a brake was dragging. The pilot reduced power in an attempt to abort the takeoff, but the airplane continued left off of the runway into the grass. The propeller struck the ground and the airplane went up on its nose and over on its back. In a statement to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot said that there was a crosswind and there might have also been a brake hang-up. In a statement made to a fixed-base operator employee, just after the accident, the pilot said a gust of wind got him. An examination of the airplane revealed the vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed downward. The spinner was bent inward. The wingtips were scraped. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The airplane's engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. At 1554, the Aviation Routine Weather Report for the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado, heading 205 degrees magnetic at 9 miles from OOV, was few clouds at 12,000 feet, visibility 8 miles, temperature 91 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 38 degrees F, winds 100 at 17 knots, gusts to 21 knots, and an altimeter of 30.19 degrees of Mercury. The owner of a fixed-base operation(FBO) at OOV said that the winds were out of the west that day, approximately 260 degrees, and they were gusting. The FBO owner could not provide and estimate of the wind speed, but said they were strong enough that they suspended flying operations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 MDT
Nearest AirportMeadow Lake Airport (0nm NNW)
Runway15
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStinson 108-3
Tail NumberN6968M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 64A-165-B3 · Reciprocating · 165
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 17 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time21:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data