Stinson 108-3 accident near Llano, Texas, June 24, 2009
On June 24, 2009 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Stinson 108-3, registered N6939M, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Llano, Texas (Llano Municipal airport). It was an instructional 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 pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control due to the failure of the left main landing gear wheel, which resulted in the separation of the wheel from the aircraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 24, 2009 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Llano, Texas · Llano Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-3 · all 108-3s on the register
- Registration
- N6939M · registry record · serial 108-4939
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot was conducting his first solo flight. During the rollout after his third landing, the aircraft began to pull to the left. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control but the left main gear separated, causing the aircraft to nose over onto its back. The left main wheel and brake caliper were located several hundred feet behind the aircraft, along the rollout path. A mechanic who inspected the aircraft after the accident reported that the inner wheel half was broken around the brake disc mounting flange. The mechanic stated that there was no bluing from excessive heat or any signs that the bearings had failed.
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
- Part(s) separation from AC during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Wheel/ski/float › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Attain/maintain not possible
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 31 hours in all; 31 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days; 1 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 64A--165-B3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AQO Llano TX at 4:20 pm
- Destination: AQO Llano TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 3,240 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 4:25 pm from AQO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N6939M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.