Stinson 108 N97541

Summary

On 11 August 2006 at about 19:25 local time, a Stinson 108 registered N97541 was involved in an accident near Meadville, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and one 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

11 August 2006 at 19:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Meadville, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Port Meadville Airport (GKJ)

Coordinates

41.6394, -80.1410

Aircraft

Stinson 108

Registration

N97541

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Erie → Meadville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC06CA200

1 person had minor injuries.

The owner's failure to install the proper tailwheel spring clips, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll. A factor was his lack of a mechanic certificate.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the landing roll, the Stinson 108 began a left turn. The pilot applied opposite rudder to counter the turn, but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the runway, struck a ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the tailwheel spring clips had disconnected from the tailwheel springs, and were stretched and distorted. About 2 weeks before the accident, the owner of the airplane installed a new tailwheel and elected not to install the tailwheel spring clips provided with the kit, but instead to use the clips that were already on the airplane. The owner was not a certificated mechanic, nor did he consult with a mechanic during the installation process.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.