Stinson 108-3 accident near Sanford, Maine, January 25, 2004
On January 25, 2004 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Stinson 108-3, registered N6234M, was destroyed in an accident near Sanford, Maine (Sanford Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An engine fire for undetermined reasons during start-up.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 25, 2004 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sanford, Maine · Sanford Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-3 · all 108-3s on the register
- Registration
- N6234M · no longer on the register · serial 108-4234
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot primed the engine four times, and attempted a start-up. The engine initially started, but did not continue to run. The pilot then primed the engine two more times and attempted a restart. The engine did not restart, and the pilot noted smoke coming from the engine area. The pilot then exited the airplane, observed a fire, and tried to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. However, strong winds accelerated the fire, and the airplane was consumed. An examination of the wreckage could not determine the exact origin of the fire. The reported wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 280 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 21 knots.
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: 360 hours in all; 75 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 344 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 28, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,933 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2003; 75 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4165 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SFM Sanford ME at 2:00 pm
- Destination: ASH Nashua NH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 11 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: -2°F (-19°C), dew point -24°F (-31°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from SFM
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.