Stinson 108-1 N8666K

Summary

On 14 September 1998 at about 21:10 local time, a Stinson 108-1 registered N8666K was involved in an accident near Spray, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 September 1998 at 21:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Spray, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

44.7703, -119.8999

Aircraft

Stinson 108-1

Registration

N8666K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kimberly → Spray

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA98LA177

Nobody was injured.

A partial loss of engine power, and the pilot's subsequent misjudgment of clearance with a transmission wire during a precautionary landing approach. The reason for the power loss was not determined; however, the pilot reported that it was not of a mechanical nature. The transmission wire was a factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported through counsel that on descent to his destination, he experienced a 'rough engine' and attempted a precautionary landing at a farm airport. He stated he 'misjudged [a] power line on approach' to the precautionary landing area, striking the power line and landing hard in a farm field. The pilot's report indicated no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved, expressing a belief that the power loss was due to carburetor icing. Temperature and dewpoint reported at the nearest weather observation station during the accident time frame did not indicate that a carburetor ice hazard existed. An FAA inspector who examined the wreckage the day after the accident found the airplane's fuel tanks nearly full of automotive or mixed automotive/aviation fuel; however, the pilot's accident report indicated the pilot did not know how much fuel was on board at the last takeoff. The pilot had not received a required biennial flight review in approximately 11 years, and he did not possess a current medical certificate. Additionally, the airplane had not received any inspections in the last 4 years.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.