Stinson 108 accident near Bayport, New York, January 9, 2010
On January 9, 2010 at about 5:55 pm local time, a Stinson 108, registered N97223, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Bayport, New York (Bayport Aerodrome airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 9, 2010 · about 5:55 pm local time
- Place
- Bayport, New York · Bayport Aerodrome · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108 · all 108s on the register
- Registration
- N97223 · registry record · serial 108-223
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot stated that during cruise flight at approximately 600 feet, the engine began to run rough. He applied the carburetor heat and the engine cleared up briefly, before losing power again. The pilot subsequently made a forced landing on a shoreline and the airplane came to rest inverted. Examination of the engine revealed that when the main fuel gascolator was removed, debris was discovered in the bottom of the bowl. The filter was removed and also contained debris. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Additionally, the engine was not susceptible to carburetor icing, given the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident.
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
- Fuel contamination during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,500 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: November 1, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,550 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2009; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,280 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4150 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 23N Bayport NY at 5:40 pm
- Destination: 23N Bayport NY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 pm from ISP, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.