Stinson 108-2 accident near Indian River, Michigan, October 21, 2004
On October 21, 2004 at about 8:27 pm local time, a Stinson 108-2, registered N425C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Indian River, Michigan (Calvin Campbell Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing encountered by the pilot and the airplane's low altitude at the time engine power was lost.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 21, 2004 · about 8:27 pm local time
- Place
- Indian River, Michigan · Calvin Campbell Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-2 · all 108-2s on the register
- Registration
- N425C · registry record · serial 108-3425
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot seriously injured during a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power on initial climb after takeoff. The pilot reported that he took off and reached an altitude of approximately 800 feet above ground level (agl) when the engine lost power completely. In order to avoid an urban area and interstate highway ahead, he elected to make a 180-degree turn and return to the airport. The pilot reported that after the turn the aircraft was not in a proper position to land on the runway. The aircraft landed on the airport and came to rest inverted approximately 560 feet from the runway. A post-accident examination did not reveal any anomalies associated with a pre-impact failure.
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: student
- Flight time: 197 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,160 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 24, 2004; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,075 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4165 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Y65 Indian River MI at 8:25 pm
- Destination: SLH Cheboygan MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 3,006 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 8:35 pm from SLH, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.