Stinson 108-1 accident near Alliance, Nebraska, July 12, 2008
On July 12, 2008 at about 1:15 am local time, a Stinson 108-1, registered N97484, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Alliance, Nebraska (Alliance Municipal Airport). It was a personal 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 failure to maintain directional control on takeoff. Contributing to the accident was a lack of total experience.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 2008 · about 1:15 am local time
- Place
- Alliance, Nebraska · Alliance Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-1 · all 108-1s on the register
- Registration
- N97484 · no longer on the register · serial 108-484
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 67-hour private pilot lost control of the single engine tailwheel airplane on the initial take-off roll on runway 08 during a planned training flight in the traffic pattern. The pilot stated that as the airplane accelerated, the tailwheel raised off the ground, and the airplane began to weather vane to the left. He then reduced engine power in an attempt to abort the takeoff, but the airplane continued to move to the left side of the runway. The pilot applied full right rudder and used differential braking in an attempt to stay on the runway. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and encountered a ditch in the grass. The propeller contacted the ground, abruptly stopped the engine, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. The pilot was not injured and was able to egress unassisted. Winds at the time were reported to be 030 degrees at 18 knots with gusts to 24 knots.
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 control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 67 hours in all; 9 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 36 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 64A-165-133 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KAIA Alliance NE at 1:00 am
- Destination: Alliance NE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 6,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 18 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
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.
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.