N71X

On February 11, 2003, about 1205 Alaska standard time, a wheel-equipped Stinson 108-1 airplane, N71X, sustained substantial damage when the right main landing gear collapsed during landing at the Sitka Airport, Sitka, Alaska. The Title 14, CFR Part 91 local area personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The private pilot/airplane owner and the three passengers were not injured. The flight originated at the Sitka Airport about 1130.

The NTSB investigator-in-charge had a telephone conversation with the accident pilot on February 12. The pilot related that he was landing on runway 11 in light wind conditions. He estimated the wind to be a direct headwind, about 5 knots or less. He said he made a wheel landing, and when he lowered the tailwheel onto the runway, he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane subsequently swerved hard to the left, collapsing the right main landing gear, and striking the right wing on the runway. He said that there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane, and he believes he lost directional control because he was going too fast when he lowered the tailwheel onto the runway. His postaccident inspection of the airplane disclosed substantial damage to right main landing gear gearbox and fuselage support structure, and about 3 feet of the right outboard wing and aileron.