Stinson 108 accident near Dushore, Pennsylvania, June 14, 2015
On June 14, 2015 at about 11:45 am local time, a 1946 Stinson 108, registered N97505, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Dushore, Pennsylvania (Dwight'S Delight airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 2015 · about 11:45 am local time
- Place
- Dushore, Pennsylvania · Dwight'S Delight · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108, built 1946 · all 108s on the register
- Registration
- N97505 · no longer on the register · serial 108-505
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight. He reported that he had conducted a flight in the airplane the day before the accident flight and that it was uneventful. He added that, before the accident flight, he conducted a preflight inspection and an engine run-up, which were normal. During the initial climb and when the airplane was about 100 ft above the ground, the engine lost all power. The pilot applied carburetor heat; however, the engine power was not restored. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to avoid trees, but the airplane settled into the trees and then impacted the ground, and the airframe sustained structural damage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions, and there was sufficient fuel onboard at the time of the accident. Although the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, the pilot applied carburetor heat, which would have melted any ice, but power was not restored. Therefore, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the total loss of engine power.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 5 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: October 27, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,067 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2014; 67 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4150 SERIES (piston); 2,067 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PA71 Dushore PA at 11:45 am
- Destination: N27 Bradford County PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 1,990 ft by 90 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 am from IPT, 26 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
6 documents, released by the NTSB on June 14, 2016. 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 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - NTSB Form 6120.1 Request | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record - Information Provided by FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 10 pages | 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.