Universal Stinson 108 N39443

Summary

On 24 June 2012 at about 15:55 local time, a Universal Stinson 108 registered N39443, operated by Hanson Louis A, was involved in an accident near Portland, Maine, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 June 2012 at 15:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Portland, Maine, United States

Coordinates

43.6211, -70.2067

Aircraft

Universal Stinson 108

Registration

N39443

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Hanson Louis A

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Turner → Turner

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12LA411

1 person died.

A fatigue failure of the No. 3 piston skirt, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and the subsequent ditching in the ocean.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was flying over the ocean, along the coast at altitudes between 500 to 1,000 feet mean sea level, when the pilot reported a total loss of engine power and indicated that he was not going to be able to glide to the shore. The airplane subsequently impacted water about 100 yards from the shore and sank to a depth of about 70 feet. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s engine revealed that the No. 3 piston skirt fractured, and the resultant debris entered the engine and camshaft gear, affecting the magneto timing. Metallurgical examination of the piston skirt revealed fatigue originating near a machined through-hole. Although the No. 3 piston was overhauled about 5 years before the accident, it was an original piston on the accident engine, which was more than 65 years old.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.