Stinson 108-2 accident near Bethel, Alaska, June 1, 2024
On June 1, 2024 at about 6:15 am local time, a 1947 Stinson 108-2, registered N299C, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Bethel, Alaska (Bethel 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
The uncertificated pilot’s decision to fly an unairworthy airplane and his failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a landing gear collapse. Contributing was the failure of the right main landing gear oleo strut.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 2024 · about 6:15 am local time
- Place
- Bethel, Alaska · Bethel · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-2, built 1947 · all 108-2s on the register
- Registration
- N299C · registry record · serial 108-3299
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The uncertificated pilot reported that while on a cross-country flight in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, he stopped along the way for fuel, and during that landing, he noticed that the right main landing gear felt “mushy.” However, he elected to depart and continue the flight to the destination airport. While landing on the dry, paved runway, which required a correction for strong, gusting crosswind conditions, the left main landing gear wheel touched down first, then the right main landing gear wheel touched down. The pilot said as the weight of the airplane transferred to the right main landing gear, the right oleo strut “mushed out.” The airplane subsequently ground looped to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that before leaving on the accident flight, he had observed red fluid leaking from the right landing gear oleo strut assembly, and that the airplane had not flown for most of the year. A review of maintenance records revealed the last annual inspection of the airplane was nine years prior to the accident. According to FAA records, the pilot did not possess a pilot’s certificate. Other than the leaking oleo strut, the pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll)
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Nose/tail gear strut/axle › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Owner/builder
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 22, 2015
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 (piston); 1,732 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Wasilla AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01L/, 6,400 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from ABE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2025. 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 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 4 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.