ELBRIDGE, NY, USA
N8073K
Stinson 108-1
The pilot/owner departed from a private strip to fly the airplane to another airport to have the annual inspection performed. After takeoff, about 150 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a hay field, and the airplane nosed over after touchdown. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failure of the engine or airframe. This was the first flight of the airplane in about 8 months. During storage, the hangar collapsed on the airplane, and tore and dented the fuel tanks, broke the windshield above the co-pilot's head, tore a large hole in the skin above the co-pilot area, and caused multiple dents on the top of the wings. The airplane's annual inspection was overdue, and the airplane had not been inspected or approved for the flight. The pilot had drained some fuel from the tanks and replaced it with auto fuel, which was not approved for use in the airplane.
On June 14, 1996, at 0930 eastern daylight time, a Stinson 108-1, N8073K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Wall Airport, Elbridge, New York. The airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at the Wall Airport. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot/owner of the airplane stated that he departed the private grass strip to the north, and at approximately 150 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing straight ahead to a hay field, and the airplane nosed over on touchdown. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector's report, examination of the airplane revealed fuel had leaked out of the airplane's wing tanks during the 24 hour period that the airplane remained inverted after the accident. An examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact failure of the airframe or engine. The FAA Inspector's report further stated that during an interview with the pilot, he said that the airplane had not been flown since the Autumn of 1995, and that the airplane was over due the annual maintenance inspection. The purpose of the flight was to fly the airplane to another airport to have the annual performed; however, the pilot did not possess a Special Flight Authorization for the flight. The pilot stated that he had drained some fuel from the airplane's fuel tanks, and added auto fuel to the tanks for the flight. The pilot also stated that he did not possess approval for the use of auto fuel in the airplane. The pilot stated in another interview with an FAA Inspector that during the previous winter, the hangar had collapsed on the airplane. The Inspector's report stated: "...Damage to N8073K as a result of the hangar collapse was as follows...Large tear in the top of the left fuel tank...Broken windshield above the co-pilot's head...Large antenna tear in skin above co-pilot's overhead...Large dents in the top of the right fuel tank...Multiple dents on the top of wings...[The pilot] stated that he flew the aircraft on June 14, 1996, with the above known damage un-repaired..."
The pilot's improper decision to use auto fuel and to fly the airplane when it was in need of major repairs and overdue its annual inspection.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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