Universal Stinson 108 accident near Portland, Maine, June 24, 2012
On June 24, 2012 at about 3:55 pm local time, a Universal Stinson 108, registered N39443, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Portland, Maine. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A fatigue failure of the No. 3 piston skirt, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and the subsequent ditching in the ocean.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 24, 2012 · about 3:55 pm local time
- Place
- Portland, Maine · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Universal Stinson 108 · all 108s on the register
- Registration
- N39443 · no longer on the register · serial 108-13
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was flying over the ocean, along the coast at altitudes between 500 to 1,000 feet mean sea level, when the pilot reported a total loss of engine power and indicated that he was not going to be able to glide to the shore. The airplane subsequently impacted water about 100 yards from the shore and sank to a depth of about 70 feet. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s engine revealed that the No. 3 piston skirt fractured, and the resultant debris entered the engine and camshaft gear, affecting the magneto timing. Metallurgical examination of the piston skirt revealed fatigue originating near a machined through-hole. Although the No. 3 piston was overhauled about 5 years before the accident, it was an original piston on the accident engine, which was more than 65 years old.
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 (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Ditching during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 504 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,115 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 14, 2011; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4-150-B31 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3B5 Turner ME at 2:30 pm
- Destination: 3B5 Turner ME
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 3:51 pm from PWM, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA12LA411.