NTSB WPR23LA359 — 2023-09-27 · San Diego, California, United States

Current FAA registration · N9128K

Make / Model: STINSON 108-1
Year of manufacture: 1947 · 76 years old at event
Engine: FRANKLIN 6A4150 SERIES (150 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S ACA193

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N9128K Stinson 108-1 None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusty wind conditions that resulted in a ground loop.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that upon arrival at the destination airport the reported wind conditions were variable wind at 10 knots gusting to 12 knots. The pilot reported that he performed a 3-point landing; on touch down, he was not able to maintain center line due to gusty southern crosswinds and the airplane ground looped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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.

— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
— Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on equipment

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_WPR23LA359.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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