Stinson SR8B accident near Lynchburg, Virginia, September 27, 1987
On September 27, 1987 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Stinson SR8B, registered N16182, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lynchburg, Virginia (Falwell airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 27, 1987 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lynchburg, Virginia · Falwell
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson SR8B · all SR8Bs on the register
- Registration
- N16182 · registry record · serial 9756
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT DIVERTED TO FALWELL AIRPORT DUE TO DETERIORATING WEATHER AND UNEVEN FUEL CONSUMPTION INDICATION BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL TANKS. DURING THE LANDING APPROACH FOR RUNWAY 28 THE PILOT NOTED THE UPSLOPE OF THE RUNWAY SURFACE. THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS LANDING AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD BOUNCING APRX 8 FT BACK INTO THE AIR. THE PILOT THEN INITIATED A GO-AROUND WHICH HE SUBSEQUENTLY ABORTED DUE TO THE TERRAIN CONDITION. DURING THE SECOND LANDING THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY APPLIED THE RUDDER PEDAL HEEL BRAKES AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER ON TOUCHDOWN.
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: 198 hours in all; 26 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 164 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,254 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 1987
- Maximum gross weight: 3,700 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming R-680-9 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ANP Annapolis MD at 1:10 pm
- Destination: Pulaski VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,900 ft by 24 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft; not recorded at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°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.