On July 13, 2019, about 1120 central daylight time, a Stinson 108 airplane, N9651K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Clinton, Arkansas. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passengers were both seriously injured. The airplane operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to information obtained from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane had been stored in a hangar and not flown for about 3 years. The pilot checked the fuel and then departed for a nearby airport. After landing, the pilot estimated that the airplane’s left tank had 8 gallons of automotive fuel and the right wing had 16 gallons of automotive fuel. The age of the fuel could not be determined. The pilot added 12 gallons of 100 low-lead fuel to the left tank and 4 gallons to the right tank, and subsequently departed to the origin airport.

During the initial climb after takeoff, when the airplane was about 150 ft above ground level, the pilot perceived that the airplane’s performance was reduced and recalled that the tachometer read 1,850 rpm, which was lower than expected. The airplane settled and the pilot flared the airplane before the collision with terrain to minimize impact forces. The airplane collided with the ground and came to rest against trees, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

The FAA inspector took a fuel sample from the carburetor and found contaminants in the fuel. When poured into a glass jar, several particles settled to the bottom of the jar. The fuel sample was not secured and was not available for further testing. The engine was not examined.