Stinson 108 N97169

Summary

On 22 April 1989 at about 22:45 local time, a Stinson 108 registered N97169, operated by Waterman, David K., was involved in an accident near Avalon, California, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 April 1989 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Avalon, California, United States

Nearest airport

Catalina (AVN)

Coordinates

33.3799, -118.4508

Aircraft

Stinson 108

Registration

N97169

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Waterman, David K.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chino → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX89LA168

3 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE DOWNDRAFTS HE ENCOUNTERED AND THE DELAY IN HIS DECISION TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE AIRPLANE LOST ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT OPTED TO GO-AROUND. A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE, DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE LOST MORE ALTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT OF CESSNA THAT LANDED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE N97169 STATED THAT THE UNICOM OPERATOR REPORTED POSSIBLE DOWNDRAFTS ON FINAL APPROACH. WHILE ON FINAL THE PILOT DID ENCOUNTER THESE DOWNDRAFTS BUT WAS ABLE TO LAND SUCCESSFULLY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.