Stinson 108-2 accident near Cut Bank, Montana, May 19, 1996
On May 19, 1996 at about 4:10 pm local time, a Stinson 108-2, registered N9808K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cut Bank, Montana (Cutbank Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind conditions (crosswind and gusts), and rough terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 19, 1996 · about 4:10 pm local time
- Place
- Cut Bank, Montana · Cutbank Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-2 · all 108-2s on the register
- Registration
- N9808K · registry record · serial 2808
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After flying over the airport to determine wind direction, the pilot decided to land on runway 31. He reported that the winds were favoring runway 31 during his approach. As he landed and rolled out, the winds shifted to a left crosswind and were gusting. The airplane veered off the edge of the runway onto soft terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was bent. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported. The reported wind conditions at the airport near the time of the accident were: wind direction from a magnetic bearing of 300 degrees at a speed of 16 knots, gusting to 23 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: 168 hours in all; 74 in this make and model; 41 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 82 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,756 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 15, 1996; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,230 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A4-165-B8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CYQL Lethbridge at 3:00 pm
- Destination: CTB
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 5,300 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from CTB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.