Stinson 108-3 accident near Port Alsworth, Alaska, September 12, 2021
On September 12, 2021 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1948 Stinson 108-3, registered N6476M, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Port Alsworth, Alaska (Pvt airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of directional control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2021 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Port Alsworth, Alaska · Pvt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-3, built 1948 · all 108-3s on the register
- Registration
- N6476M · registry record · serial 108-4476
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the landing roll while applying the brakes, the right brake “went flat.” The airplane veered to the left, impacted a stump, and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. A postaccident examination revealed no mechanical anomalies with the brake system that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of control during landing could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,006.2 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 350.3 in the last 90 days; 104.6 in the last 30 days; 4,796.1 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 12, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,729.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 25, 2021
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-S (piston); 77 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway PVT, 720 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.58 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from PALJ
Weather report (METAR): PALJ 121653Z 07008KT 30SM BKN080 OVC120 12/07 A2958 RMK EST PASS OPN NOSPECI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on January 31, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Wreckage Examination Email | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.