Stinson 108 accident near Clinton, Arkansas, July 13, 2019
On July 13, 2019 at about 4:20 pm local time, a 1947 Stinson 108, registered N9651K, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Clinton, Arkansas (Clinton Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 2019 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Clinton, Arkansas · Clinton Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108 2, built 1947 · all 108s on the register
- Registration
- N9651K · no longer on the register · serial 108-2651
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane had been stored in a hangar and not flown for 3 years. On the day of the accident, the pilot departed on a flight to a nearby airport, where he added 100 low-lead aviation fuel to the automotive fuel already contained in the wing tanks and subsequently departed on the return flight. About 150 ft above ground level after takeoff, the engine lost partial power. The airplane descended and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. A fuel sample from the carburetor revealed some contamination; however, the contaminant was not identified. Although it is possible that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel contamination, the engine was not examined following the accident and a mechanical failure could not be ruled out; therefore, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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 engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,231 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4165 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CCA Clinton AR
- Destination: 2A2 Clinton AR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from KCCA
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCCA 131535Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM OVC020 28/23 A3000 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on February 2, 2022. 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 | Case Findings | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Carburetor Icing Probability Chart | PDF, 1 page | 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.