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ANC25LA058

2025-06-25 · Alexander Creek, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport NONE

Current FAA registration · N97438

Make / Model
STINSON 108
Year of manufacture
1946 · 79 years old at event
Engine
FRANKLIN 6A4165 SERIES (165 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19551110
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AD9563

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s encounter with a downdraft that led to a rapid loss of altitude.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while on final approach to a remote airstrip surrounded by trees, the airplane encountered a downdraft and began a rapid descent. He attempted to recover by increasing throttle and applying aft elevator input. However, the airplane impacted the ground at a flat, nose-level attitude and subsequently nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, right wing lift strut, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Downdraft-Effect on operation
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Attain/maintain not possible
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent rate-Attain/maintain not possible

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2025_ANC25LA058.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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