Pilot Debrief

STINSON 108-3 near Blackfoot, ID — 2013-07-10

Final reportWPR13LA320
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Date
2013-07-10
Location
Blackfoot, ID, USA
Airport
U02
Aircraft
STINSON 108-3
Registration
N703C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The noncertificated pilot reported that the airplane had been airborne for about 15 minutes and was about 1,000 feet above ground level when the engine experienced a partial loss of power and the airplane began to lose altitude. The pilot switched fuel tanks, but there was no change in power, so he then made a forced landing to a wheat field. During the landing, the airplane flipped over and then came to rest inverted. The pilot estimated that about 4 to 5 gallons of fuel were on board at the time of the accident. The right fuel tank was not breached, and it contained residual quantities of fuel below the usable limit. The left fuel tank was not breached; however, its fuel tank cap was displaced during the accident sequence, so an accurate assessment of the quantity of fuel in the left tank could not be determined; however, a 4.5-foot-diameter area of fuel-soaked soil was found near the left wing. Although water was found in the left tank, it may have entered through the displaced fuel tank cap. A postaccident engine examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before departure to ensure adequate fuel.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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