Stinson 108 accident near Eliza Island, Washington, April 27, 2018
On April 27, 2018 at about 7:50 pm local time, a 1949 Stinson 108, registered N6933M, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Eliza Island, Washington (Eliza Island airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 27, 2018 · about 7:50 pm local time
- Place
- Eliza Island, Washington · Eliza Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108 3, built 1949 · all 108s on the register
- Registration
- N6933M · registry record · serial 108-4933
- 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 takeoff roll, he had difficulty staying on the runway. He added, in a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator in charge, that, while airborne, the airplane aerodynamically stalled into brush off the end of the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 9 miles to the north-northwest reported that that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 8 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane departed the southeast runway.
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 in flight during takeoff defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,200 hours in all; 1,100 in this make and model; 5 in the last 30 days; 2,200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 1, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,538 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A-335-B (piston); 2,538 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WA93 Eliza Island WA at 7:50 pm
- Destination: BVS Mount Vernon WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway SE, 1,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 700 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KBLI, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on July 12, 2018. 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/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Photo | PDF, 1 page | 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.