Stinson 108-3 N6088M

Summary

On 3 July 2003 at about 15:00 local time, a Stinson 108-3 registered N6088M was involved in an accident near Hendersonville, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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

3 July 2003 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Hendersonville, Tennessee, United States

Coordinates

36.3806, -86.4139

Aircraft

Stinson 108-3

Registration

N6088M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Conway → Gallatin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL03LA117

1 person was seriously injured.

The total loss of engine power due to loss of oil pressure for undetermined reasons, resulting in a forced landing and nose over on none suitable terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he was in cruise flight at 3,500 feet, about 17 miles from the destination airport when he noticed a slight decrease in engine rpm and oil pressure. He started his descent to his destination airport and started looking for a forced landing area. The rpm continued to decrease, and he elected to make a forced landing to a grassy field. He made a base leg, turned final, and lowered the flaps to the full down position. On touchdown the landing gear collided with ruts that he did not see from the air, and the airplane nosed over. Disassembly of the engine assembly showed three cylinders and three connecting rods had failed. The crankshaft journals were heavily scored and burned. Portions of two connecting rod bolts were recovered from the oil sump. The bolts had severe necking and had plasticized. The oil sump was removed to access the oil pump and lubrication pick-up screen. The screen was free of significant amounts of debris. The oil pump was removed and showed no signs of failure or contamination that would have caused failure to properly supply oil to the engine. The pressure regulator and pressure relief valve were examined and there was no evidence that either had failed. It could not be determined why the engine ceased oiling.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.