Stinson 108-1 accident near Redlands, California, March 31, 2001
On March 31, 2001 at about 7:33 pm local time, a Stinson 108-1, registered N8158K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Redlands, California (Riverside Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during cruise flight over rough terrain for undetermined non-mechanical reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 31, 2001 · about 7:33 pm local time
- Place
- Redlands, California · Riverside Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-1 · all 108-1s on the register
- Registration
- N8158K · no longer on the register · serial 108-1158
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to taking off for the accident flight the fuel tanks had been refueled. While cruising about 13 minutes later, the pilot experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot reported that no vibration was felt prior to the power loss. In an attempt at restoring engine power, the pilot applied the carburetor heat, changed the mixture setting, and repositioned the ignition key. None of his actions were successful, and he made a forced landing about 1.5 miles north-northeast of his destination. During the landing rollout in rough terrain, the airplane collided with a berm. The airplane was subsequently examined. During the teardown inspection of the engine and accessories, no evidence of any preimpact malfunction was noted. Both the carburetor finger screen and the gascolator fuel screen were observed clear. The magnetos were functional. The carburetor heat control worked. The reason for the non-mechanical total loss of engine power was not determined. The airplane was manufactured in 1946.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 436 hours in all; 182 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 19, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,508 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, February 19, 2001; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4-150-B3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BNG Banning CA at 7:20 pm
- Destination: L12 Redlands CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 4,505 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Observation at 7:50 pm from BUO, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.