Universal Stinson 108-1 N8607K

Summary

On 30 September 1989 at about 22:30 local time, a Universal Stinson 108-1 registered N8607K, operated by Vernon Hoppes, was involved in an accident near Hudson, Colorado, 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

30 September 1989 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Hudson, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

40.0694, -104.6401

Aircraft

Universal Stinson 108-1

Registration

N8607K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Vernon Hoppes

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN89LA226

1 person had minor injuries.

PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE ALFALFA CROP.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PLT (PIC) & THE PREVIOUS OWNER/PLT (PAX) WERE FLYLING THE ACFT FOR FAMILIARIZATION. THEY TOOK OFF TO THE SOUTH WITH THE WIND FROM 180 DEG AT 15 GUSTING 20 KTS. DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 7600 FT. THE PAX SAID THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL, THE PLANE ENTERED A 'DOWNDRAFT.' THE PIC SAID THE ACFT BEGAN A DSCNT WITH A HIGH SINK RATE. ALSO, HE SAID THE ENG RPM 'STARTED TO DECREASE' & THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PAX SAID THE ENG SOUNDED LIKE IT 'LOADED UP' DURING THE ENCOUNTER WITH THE DOWNDRAFT, BUT THAT IT CONTD RUNNING. THE PLT MANEUVERED THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT TO LAND IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT NOSED OVER & CAME TO REST INVERTED. A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ENG PROVIDED NO EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE RPRTD LOSS OF POWER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.