On July 1, 1995, a Stinson 108-2 (registration N9600K) was involved in an aviation accident near Shishmaref, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot forgot to lower the wing flaps. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A tailwheel airplane nosed over after running off the end of a rough private airstrip during takeoff. The pilot reported forgetting to lower the flaps and noted gusting winds at the departure end.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that he was attempting to take off in a tailwheel airplane from a rough, private airstrip. During the pretakeoff taxi, the airplane was bouncing, and the pilot was unable to read the checklist. He stated that he neglected to lower the wing flaps. The airplane failed to become airborne before running off the end of the runway and nosing over.
Pilot Statement
The pilot attributed the accident to his forgetting to lower the flaps. He also noted that gusting winds at the departure end of the runway were causing localized downdrafts.
Sequence of Events
The pilot began the takeoff roll from a rough airstrip. The airplane bounced during taxi, distracting him from completing the checklist. Without the flaps extended, the airplane did not achieve sufficient lift to become airborne. It continued past the runway's end and nosed over.