No fatalities

12 May 2019: Stinson 108 3 — Soldotna, AK

Soldotna, AK, United States

On 12 May 2019, a Stinson 108 3 was involved in an aviation accident near Soldotna, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's overapplication of the brakes during landing on a soft runway, which resulted in a nose-over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped airplane nosed over during landing on a private grass airstrip after the main landing gear encountered a soft, muddy spot, causing substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer.

Accident Summary

A pilot reported that during a landing on a 1,000-foot-long private grass airstrip, the airplane touched down on the first third of the runway. The pilot applied heavier braking as the aircraft neared the end of the strip. The main landing gear then "dug into a soft/muddy spot," causing the airplane to nose over.

Aircraft Damage

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the airplane, specifically to the right wing and the vertical stabilizer. No further details on the extent of the damage were provided.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The aircraft was a tailwheel design, and the landing occurred on a grass surface. The pilot's report did not specify the type of airplane, its registration, or any other identifying information.

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operationPilotEffect on operation