N6276MSTINSON 108-3 1994-08-04 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

STINSON 108-3 S/N: 108-4206

Summary

On August 04, 1994, a Stinson 108-3 (N6276M) was involved in an accident near Bend, OR. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

On August 4, 1994, about 1405 Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N6276M, operated by the owner/pilot, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Bend, Oregon. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed from Sunriver, Oregon, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

According to the pilot during an interview one day after the accident, light and variable winds were reported by the unicom frequency after the pilot requested an airport advisory for landing at the Bend Municipal Airport. The pilot stated that she approached runway 34, touched down, bounced, and decided to execute a go-around.

This accident is documented in NTSB report SEA94LA204. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6276M.

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, August 4, 1994
NTSB Number
SEA94LA204
Location
BEND, OR
Event ID
20001206X02136
Coordinates
44.069458, -121.249664
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

IMPROPER USE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
STINSON
Serial Number
108-4206
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1948
Model / ICAO
108-3 S108
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
NONE
Status
Deregistered
City
LONG BEACH
State / Zip Code
CA 90745
Country
United States

Analysis

On August 4, 1994, about 1405 Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N6276M, operated by the owner/pilot, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Bend, Oregon. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed from Sunriver, Oregon, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

According to the pilot during an interview one day after the accident, light and variable winds were reported by the unicom frequency after the pilot requested an airport advisory for landing at the Bend Municipal Airport. The pilot stated that she approached runway 34, touched down, bounced, and decided to execute a go-around. She entered downwind for runway 34 again, and then decided to land on runway 16 instead. She "...overshot the runway" during the approach and executed another go-around.

The pilot stated that she raised the flaps during the go-around, but could not remember cutting off the carburetor heat.

The pilot stated that the airplane was not climbing and the engine could not generate full power. In a written statement, she stated that she was "scared" at this time, so she performed a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing, the landing gear collapsed as the airplane rolled along rough terrain and was substantially damaged.

An examination of the engine (report attached) by an FAA aviation safety inspector from Hillsboro, Oregon, did not reveal any evidence of a pre-impact mechanical malfunction. The examination also revealed that the carburetor heat valve was found in the open position.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA94LA204