Aviation Accident Summary DEN00LA068

LAS CRUCES, NM, USA

Aircraft #1

N442C

Stinson 108-2

Analysis

The pilot said that shortly after he took off from runway 26, he felt the engine was not developing enough power, so he made a 180 degree turn and landed on runway 8 with an estimated tailwind velocity of 5 knots. He said he failed to maintain directional control and the airplane skidded to the left and off the runway, bending the right rear spar. The engine was later disassembled and examined. The no. 6 intake valve was found burnt and was not seating properly. The mechanic told the pilot this condition would account for the loss of power.

Factual Information

On March 24, 2000, approximately 1030 mountain standard time, a [Universal] Stinson 108-2, N442C, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a precautionary landing at Las Cruces International Airport, Las Cruces, New Mexico. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had just originated. The pilot said that shortly after he took off from runway 26, he felt the engine was not developing enough power, so he made a 180 degree turn and landed on runway 8 with an estimated tailwind velocity of 5 knots. "[During] rollout, I failed to maintain directional control and, as a result, the airplane skidded to the left," he wrote. "When I departed the asphalt, the right wheel dug in to soft soil and tipped the left wing up and the right wing down, which bent the rear spar." The engine was later disassembled and examined. The no. 6 intake valve was found burnt and was not seating properly. The mechanic told the pilot this condition would account for the loss of power.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, resulting in an inadvertent ground loop/swerve. Factors were a burnt and unseated intake valve, and the tail wind.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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