Stinson SR8C accident near Lakeville, Massachusetts, October 20, 1990
On October 20, 1990 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Stinson SR8C, registered N17116, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lakeville, Massachusetts. 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 PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE ABOVE THE LAKE WATER AND ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO DESCEND WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. FACTOR'S RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CALM WINDS CAUSING THE LAKE WATER TO BE GLASSY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 20, 1990 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lakeville, Massachusetts
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson SR8C · all SR8Cs on the register
- Registration
- N17116 · registry record · serial 9801
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING HIS AIRPLANE AT A LOW ALTITUDE SIGHT- SEEING AND TAKING PICTURES OVER A LAKE. HE MADE A LEFT TURN IN ORDER TO GET THE SUN OUT OF HIS EYES. WHICH WAS REFLECTING OFF THE GLASSY WATER ON THE LAKE. AS THE PILOT MADE THE LEFT TURN THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AND STRUCK THE WATER. THE PILOT SAID, 'CLOSER ATTENTION TO MY ALTITUDE WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS ACCIDENT.'
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
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,750 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming R-680-E3B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TAN Taunton MA at 9:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.