Stinson 108 accident near Caldwell, Idaho, June 27, 2019
On June 27, 2019 at about 12:30 pm local time, a 1948 Stinson 108, registered N6116M, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Caldwell, Idaho (Caldwell Industrial airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during approach due to a failed piston. The reason for the piston failure could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2019 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Caldwell, Idaho · Caldwell Industrial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Stinson 108 3, built 1948 · all 108s on the register
- Registration
- N6116M · no longer on the register · serial 108-4116
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern when the engine lost all power as he was turning onto the base leg of the pattern. He turned the airplane toward final approach, but it landed hard short of the runway, struck an airport perimeter fence, and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed metallic debris on the oil dipstick tube and cap, with significant oil residue on the belly of the airplane. The pilot, who performed the engine overhaul 25 hours before the accident flight, performed a cursory examination following the accident and found a broken piston and metal fragments in the intake tubes that caused the intake valves to stick open. The cause of the piston failure could not be determined based on the available information.
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 engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Landing area undershoot during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 1, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (waiver time limited special)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,481 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 27, 2019; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,401 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-435 SERIES (piston); 2,500 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KEUL Caldwell ID at 12:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 am from KEUL, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KEUL 271156Z AUTO 28008KT 10SM CLR 14/08 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP114 T01390083 10206 20139 53017=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on March 1, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Email, Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Logbook Entry of Reinstalled Engine | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Logbook Entry of Most Recent Annual Inspection 179 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Accident Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.