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Collision Between Stinson and Piper at Northwest Regional Airport (N6805M)

Roanoke, TX, United States

On May 15, 2008, a STINSON 108-3 (registration N6805M) was involved in an aviation accident near Roanoke, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The departing pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in his airplane colliding with the landing airplane. Contributing to the accident was the trees/visual obstructions along the runway's approach path. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

On May 15, 2008, a Stinson 108-3 on takeoff and a Piper PA-28-161 on landing collided at Northwest Regional Airport in Roanoke, Texas. No injuries were reported. Both pilots cited trees near the runway as a contributing factor.

Incident Overview

On May 15, 2008, at approximately 1415 central daylight time, a single-engine Stinson 108-3 (N6805M) and a single-engine Piper PA-28-161 (N8295X) collided on runway 35 at Northwest Regional Airport (52F) in Roanoke, Texas. The Stinson was in the takeoff roll, while the Piper was in the landing flare. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the Stinson, and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot in the Piper were not injured.

Aircraft and Operations

The Stinson was owned and operated by the pilot for a personal flight. The Piper was owned by RTJE Bach Enterprises LLC and operated by US Aviation Group of Denton, Texas, for an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed for these Part 91 flights.

Pilot Accounts

According to the Stinson pilot, after checking for traffic and announcing his intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF), he began his takeoff roll on runway 35. As the aircraft neared takeoff speed, he heard a loud noise and the airplane stopped. Exiting, he found the Piper resting atop his Stinson.

The CFI in the Piper reported completing four touch-and-go maneuvers. On the downwind leg for the fifth approach, he reduced engine power to idle for a simulated engine-out procedure. On final, he added power to correct the student's low approach. During the landing flare, the instructor heard a thud and realized the aircraft was not flying nor on the ground—they had landed on the Stinson. The student pilot had transmitted position reports for downwind, base, and final. The instructor stated, "At no time during the flight did I see the other aircraft."

Runway and Environmental Factors

Runway 35 is 3,500 feet long and 40 feet wide with a 320-foot displaced threshold due to approximately 50-foot-tall trees south of the approach path. Both pilots reported that the trees contributed to the accident.

Damage

Photographs provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge showed structural damage to the left wing of the Piper and the upper fuselage of the Stinson.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotPilot of other aircraft

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 15 May 2008 STINSON 108-3 accident near Roanoke, TX?

On May 15, 2008, a Stinson 108-3 on takeoff and a Piper PA-28-161 on landing collided at Northwest Regional Airport in Roanoke, Texas. No injuries were reported. Both pilots cited trees near the runway as a contributing factor.

Were there any fatalities in the 15 May 2008 STINSON 108-3 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 15 May 2008 involved a STINSON 108-3, registration N6805M, at Roanoke, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The departing pilot's inadequate visual lookout resulting in his airplane colliding with the landing airplane. Contributing to the accident was the trees/visual obstructions along the runway's approach path.

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