Stinson 108 accident near Cold Foot, Alaska, August 19, 1990
On August 19, 1990 at about 5:00 am local time, a Stinson 108, registered N9462K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cold Foot, Alaska (Coldfoot airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 1990 · about 5:00 am local time
- Place
- Cold Foot, Alaska · Coldfoot · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108 · all 108s on the register
- Registration
- N9462K · no longer on the register · serial 1082462
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING TAKEOFF ON A MINING STRIP, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A LARGE RUBBER TIRE LYING AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE LANDING GEAR WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY TO COLDFOOT FOR HIS EMERGENCY LANDING. DURING THE APPROACH TO COLDFOOT AND ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT STALLED THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHED ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 400 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 360 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,800 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 200 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 145 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Chapman Creek AK at 11:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 4,000 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.