Stinson 108-3 accident near Bridgeport, California, August 8, 2010
On August 8, 2010 at about 5:17 pm local time, a Stinson 108-3, registered N230SS, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Bridgeport, California (Bryant Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. 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
- August 8, 2010 · about 5:17 pm local time
- Place
- Bridgeport, California · Bryant Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108-3 · all 108-3s on the register
- Registration
- N230SS · registry record · serial 108-4193
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while nearing the destination airport, he listened to the automated weather which indicated wind from the north at 3-4 knots. The pilot also noted that the windsock on the northern end of the airport was limp. During landing, as the main wheels touched down, the pilot applied slight nose forward pressure on the yoke. Shortly thereafter, the right wing lifted rapidly and the pilot added right aileron and increased power in an attempt to regain control and perform a go-around. The airplane started to veer to the left side of the runway and the pilot reduced the power. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, proceeded through a fence, and entered a ditch. The airplane slid along the ditch until it came to rest perpendicular to the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine 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 (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Not specified
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,219 hours in all; 106 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 20, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 961 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 12, 2010; 24 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 Series (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KTRK Truckee CA at 4:30 pm
- Destination: KO57 Bridgeport CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 4,239 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 4:30 pm from KMMH, 48 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.