Stinson 108-1 accident near Townsend, Montana, June 14, 2010
On June 14, 2010 at about 5:45 pm local time, a Stinson 108-1, registered N8706K, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Townsend, Montana (Townsend airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 2010 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Townsend, Montana · Townsend · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-1 · all 108-1s on the register
- Registration
- N8706K · no longer on the register · serial 108-1706
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Earlier in the day the pilot had discovered a minor engine oil leak in his airplane. The leak was fixed by a certificated airframe and power plant mechanic and the pilot then changed the airplane's oil. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to make sure that the oil leak was repaired. He flew one circuit in the traffic pattern and landed normally. The pilot reported that he had full control of the airplane until he applied the brakes. According to the pilot, he "applied [the brakes] a little too soon," and the airplane veered to the right and exited the runway. In the grass on the side of the runway, the airplane momentarily nosed down and the propeller touched the ground. The airplane then settled back down normally with the engine stopped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and main wing spar. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane prior to the 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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 890 hours in all; 391 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 730 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 8, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,287 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 4, 2010; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,230 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-435-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 8U8 Townsend MT at 5:40 pm
- Destination: 8U8 Townsend MT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 4,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from HLN, 26 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.