Stinson 108-3 accident near Erie, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1985
On May 3, 1985 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Stinson 108-3, registered N6114M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Erie, Pennsylvania (Moorhead airport). It was an instructional 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
- May 3, 1985 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Erie, Pennsylvania · Moorhead · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-3 · all 108-3s on the register
- Registration
- N6114M · no longer on the register · serial 108-4114
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS INSTRUCTING THE STUDENT ON TAKEOFFS & LANDING, THE ENG LOST POWER DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUEL. REPORTEDLY, THE ENG LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF & THE AIRCREW HAD TO TURN TO AVOID HIGH TENSION WIRES DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STALLED WHILE IT WAS ABOUT 30 FT OFF THE GROUND & THE LANDING GEAR & FUSELAGE WERE DAMAGED DURING TOUCHDOWN. THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE FUEL GAGES WERE PROVIDING A FAULTY INDICATION WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,427 hours in all; 15,427 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 15,427 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4-165-B3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 1,665 ft by 140 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:30 pm
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.