Stinson 108 N97969

Summary

On 19 January 2019 at about 17:25 local time, a Stinson 108 registered N97969 was involved in an accident near Keshena, Wisconsin, United States. 4 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 3 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

19 January 2019 at 17:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Keshena, Wisconsin, United States

Coordinates

44.9964, -88.6036

Aircraft

Stinson 108

Registration

N97969

Category

Airplane

Year built

1946

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Waupaca → Iron Mountain Kingsford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN19LA060

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent impact with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a personal flight; while in cruise flight, the engine experienced a momentary and substantial loss of rpm. The pilot moved the mixture to the full-rich position, turned on the carburetor heat, and switched to the right fuel tank. The engine recovered power, and the pilot left the carburetor heat on for about 3 minutes and then slowly turned it off. About 2 minutes later, the engine lost all power. The pilot activated the starter, but it did not engage. The pilot chose to execute a forced landing on a road, during which the airplane impacted trees, bounced, and then came to rest inverted on a snow-covered embankment. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The temperature and dewpoint at the time of the accident were not conducive for the formation of carburetor icing. The airplane had an adequate amount of fuel onboard at the time of the accident. Therefore, the reason for the loss of all engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.