On October 14, 2001, a Stinson 108-3 (registration N735C) was involved in an aviation accident near Rosamond, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed during the attempted takeoff, which resulted in a stall/mush. The airplane's failure to accelerate was due to a disintegrated bearing on the camshaft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During takeoff, the airplane failed to gain sufficient airspeed. The pilot attempted to lift over a berm, stalled, struck a bush, nosed over, and was consumed by fire. A witness reported a disintegrated camshaft bearing in the engine.
Accident Details
The airplane collided with terrain and nosed over during an attempted takeoff. According to the pilot, the airplane did not develop sufficient airspeed during the takeoff roll. At the decision point, the pilot observed a 2-foot-high berm at the end of the runway. Believing he did not have enough room to stop, he continued at full power and "jerked" the airplane into the air.
The airplane then began to sink. The pilot applied full aft elevator, but the airplane stalled about 2 feet above the ground. It touched down again, and the right main landing gear struck a bush and sheared off. The airplane came to rest inverted and was subsequently consumed by a post-impact fire.
Witness Report
A witness, who purchased the engine from the pilot after the accident, reported that the camshaft had a disintegrated bearing.