Stinson 108 accident near Batavia, Ohio, May 6, 2016
On May 6, 2016 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 1947 Stinson 108, registered N8068K, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Batavia, Ohio (Clermont County 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 during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's incorrect brake application during the runway excursion, which resulted in a nose over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 6, 2016 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Batavia, Ohio · Clermont County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108 2, built 1947 · all 108s on the register
- Registration
- N8068K · registry record · serial 108-3068
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing touch down in gusty wind conditions, a gust of wind lifted the left wing. He further reported that he advanced the throttle to abort the landing, and the airplane drifted to the right of the runway. The main wheels touched down on the grass, and the airplane abruptly stopped and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and left lift strut. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 10 miles to the west, revealed that, about 23 minutes after the accident the wind was reported as 330 degrees true at 13 knots, and visibility 10 statute miles. The airplane was landing on runway 4. As a safety recommendation, the pilot reported that this accident may have been prevented with more flight time in the airplane type, and that his feet may have been pushing on the toe brakes.
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
- Other weather encounter during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear brakes system › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 530 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,382.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 16, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 (piston); 1,776 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: I69 Batavia OH at 10:30 pm
- Destination: I69 Batavia OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04, 3,566 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from KLUK, 10 miles away
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.