Stinson 108 accident near Healdsburg, California, April 5, 1987
On April 5, 1987 at about 8:27 pm local time, a Stinson 108, registered N9216K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Healdsburg, California (Healdsburg airport). 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
- April 5, 1987 · about 8:27 pm local time
- Place
- Healdsburg, California · Healdsburg · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108 · all 108s on the register
- Registration
- N9216K · no longer on the register · serial 108-2216
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A TAXI TEST, THE PLT DECIDED TO TAKEOFF WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT OFF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PLT HAD FLOWN THE ACFT FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH THE OWNER THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER STATED THAT THE PLT COULD NOT TAKEOFF OR LAND THE ACFT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE OWNER HAD INSTRUCTED THE PLT TO TAXI THE ACFT AROUND TO GET THE FEEL OF THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, THE PLT TOOK THE ACFT DOWN THE RWY WHERE HE LOST CONTROL WHEN THE ACFT TOOK OFF. AT AN ALTITUDE OF 3 TO 5 FEET AGL THE LEFT WING DIPPED, THE ACFT SETTLED TO THE RWY THEN VEERED RIGHT.
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: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 21,800 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 78 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 18,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,976 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 12, 1986; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4-150-B3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 031 Healdsburg CA at 8:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 2,707 ft by 45 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:27 pm from UKI, 32 miles away
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.