Stinson 108-1 N8344K

Summary

On 7 March 2003 at about 14:15 local time, a Stinson 108-1 registered N8344K was involved in an accident near Eloy, Arizona, United States. One person was 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

7 March 2003 at 14:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Eloy, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

32.6111, -111.5250

Aircraft

Stinson 108-1

Registration

N8344K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tucson → Casa Grande

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX03FA108

1 person had minor injuries.

a loss of engine power caused by the fatigue failure of the number 4 cylinder exhaust valve.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The engine lost total power when the number 4 cylinder exhaust valve fractured and separated during cruise flight. During the forced landing to a plowed field the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed a large amount of oil on the exterior of the fuselage. The number 3 and 4 cylinders assemblies dislodged from the engine. An engine examination revealed that the number 4 cylinder exhaust valve had fractured between the valve head and stem. Examination of the fracture face disclosed features consistent with fatigue.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.