This May 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Stinson 108.
Location: Auburn, Calif.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was returning to the airport after a 30-minute local flight. From observation of the windsock, he determined that there was a varying crosswind and quartering headwind. A check of the automated weather observation system at the airport confirmed the winds were 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots.
Upon touchdown, a strong gust of wind caught the airplane and pushed it sideways. The pilot applied full power with the intent of aborting the landing. The airplane lifted off and began a climb, then stalled, and landed hard between the runway and parallel taxiway. The impact bent the main landing gear and bent the airframe behind the cabin.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during an aborted landing that resulted in a stall/mush and subsequent hard landing.
