Stinson 108-3 accident near Anza, California, July 23, 1985
On July 23, 1985 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Stinson 108-3, registered N876C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Anza, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 1985 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Anza, California
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-3 · all 108-3s on the register
- Registration
- N876C · no longer on the register · serial 108-3876
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A CROSS COUNTRY PERSONAL FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION FOR UNDERTERMINED REASONS AND NOSED OVER DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN A SOFT SAND AND SCRUB BRUSH COVERED AREA. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE OF THE FLIGHT (A MEASURED STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE OF 75 NM) THE PILOT SAID HE CONFIRMED A FUEL QUANTITY OF 37 GALLONS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE FLT WAS AIRBORNE FOR ABOUT 50 MINUTES WHEN THE 'ENGINE QUIT.' DOCUMENTS PRODUCED BY THE PILOT ESTABLISHED THAT 19 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE PURCHASED AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AT THE ACCIDENT SITE BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE TANKS AND ONLY ABOUT A TEASPOON FULL IN THE SYSTEM COMPONENTS FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL. THE FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE OR STAINS ON THE UNDERLYING AND ADJACENT SOIL OR VEGITATION. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE IDENTIFIED DURING THE EXAM OF THE POWERPLANT.
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: 246 hours in all; 172 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 186 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,700 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 9, 1985; 27 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L66 Corona CA at 7:55 pm
- Destination: L08 Borrego Valley CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from RAL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.