Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing, resulting in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot was on a personal cross-country flight when he encountered whiteout conditions; he then reversed course to return to the departure airport. He reported that the visibility continued to diminish and he elected to land the ski-equipped airplane on a frozen, snow-covered lake. He said that the airplane landed hard on the uneven terrain, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the terrain. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident and that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC10CA010 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 18, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Selawik, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Stinson 108-1
- N-number
- N136SP
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.