Stinson 108 N6252M

Summary

On 2 July 2020 at about 00:30 local time, a Stinson 108 registered N6252M was involved in an accident near Nikolai, Alaska, United States. 2 people were 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

2 July 2020 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Nikolai, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

62.5531, -153.3819

Aircraft

Stinson 108

Registration

N6252M

Category

Airplane

Year built

1948

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nikolai → Palmer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC20CA063

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper decision to depart from an unsuitable off-airport surface which resulted in a departure area excursion and impact with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was departing a remote off-airport landing site in his tailwheel-equipped airplane. After assessing the physical site, which was sloped on both ends and the current weather conditions, he selected a takeoff direction and a takeoff abort point. During the departure roll, the airplane failed to accelerate past 40 knots, exited the departure area and impacted brush and trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot listed several ways that the accident could have been prevented which included a more accurate assessment of the departure site, the establishment of a more prominent takeoff abort speed/point, or if he had been more proficient in aborted takeoffs.   

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.