Accident Details
On June 30, 2012, about 1415 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, registration N773C, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain during initial climb near Bruce Meadows Airport (U63) in Stanley, Idaho. The certified commercial pilot sustained serious injuries, and the three passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight was destined for McCall Municipal Airport (MYL) in McCall, Idaho. The pilot reported a departure time of 1400.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that prior to departure he checked performance charts and determined the density altitude to be about 9,200 feet, which was 3,200 feet above the maximum altitude listed in the takeoff performance charts for that airplane with a metal propeller, or 6,000 feet. During takeoff roll from the near mile-long turf-dirt airstrip, the pilot was not getting as much lift as expected. When about three-quarters of the way down the 5,000-foot runway (elevation 6,370 feet msl), he intended to abort the takeoff but a gust of wind put the airplane in the air. The pilot thought he would be ok, but when he could not achieve the expected climb rate, he attempted to locate an open field to land in. He got caught in a downdraft and subsequently impacted a stand of trees. The airplane came to rest inverted about 1.64 nautical miles from the departure end of runway 23, at an elevation of 6,432 feet msl. The airplane weighed 2,314 pounds at takeoff; maximum gross takeoff weight is 2,400 pounds. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane or engine prior to or during the flight.
Inspection Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector reported substantial damage to the main fuselage, empennage, and both wings. An inspection of the mixture control found the control cable bent, preventing movement at the carburetor. The cable was disconnected at the carburetor mixture control arm, and the arm moved freely from stop to stop. The inspector provided documentation on the airplane’s Franklin, model 6A4-165-B3 engine, equipped with a Marvel Schebler, model MA-4-5 carburetor. The documentation stated: “When adjusting the mixture control for altitudes higher than 3,000 feet, move the control in and out slowly, with the throttle at cruising position until the highest RPM is attained. The carburetor mixture will then be correctly adjusted for that throttle position and load at that particular altitude.” The pilot stated that the Franklin engine could not be leaned for takeoff. The inspector’s onsite and postaccident examinations revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.
Passenger Statements
Local law enforcement provided statements from both backseat passengers. The left rear seat passenger reported that after takeoff, when above the trees, it felt like they encountered a pocket of air that pushed them down into the trees. The right rear seat passenger stated that about 5 minutes into the flight they did not have enough lift or air to fly, at which point the pilot called to brace for impact. The passenger reported that the airplane then flew into the trees, twisted, and hit the ground, nosing over. Law enforcement reported that the left rear seat passenger stated the right front seat passenger did not remember the crash or much of the day.
Weather Conditions
At 1351, the weather reporting facility at McCall Municipal Airport (MYL), about 44 nautical miles northwest, reported wind 160 degrees at 8 knots, variable from 120 to 190 degrees, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 27°C, dew point 3°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.00 inches of mercury.