Stinson 108-1 accident near Eloy, Arizona, March 7, 2003
On March 7, 2003 at about 2:15 pm local time, a Stinson 108-1, registered N8344K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Eloy, Arizona. 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
a loss of engine power caused by the fatigue failure of the number 4 cylinder exhaust valve.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 7, 2003 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Eloy, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-1 · all 108-1s on the register
- Registration
- N8344K · no longer on the register · serial 1344
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The engine lost total power when the number 4 cylinder exhaust valve fractured and separated during cruise flight. During the forced landing to a plowed field the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed a large amount of oil on the exterior of the fuselage. The number 3 and 4 cylinders assemblies dislodged from the engine. An engine examination revealed that the number 4 cylinder exhaust valve had fractured between the valve head and stem. Examination of the fracture face disclosed features consistent with fatigue.
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: 707 hours in all; 210 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 589 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 12, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,878 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 31, 2002; 100 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,230 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4150-B4 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RYN Tucson AZ at 1:50 pm
- Destination: CGZ Casa Grande AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 1:56 pm from PHX, 44 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.