Probable cause
The fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear, resulting in a total loss of engine power.
NTSB analysis
Shortly after takeoff the engine sustained a total loss of engine power caused by fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear, necessitating the pilot to perform an off-airport forced landing that resulted in substantial damage. The fatigue fracture initiated from multiple origins at a corner of a keyway cut in the gear. The crankshaft gear underwent magnaflux inspection and was approved for return to service associated with an engine overhaul nearly 8 years and 247 hours earlier. While there was no evidence of plating at the fatigue initiation site, it could not be determined from the available evidence whether the fatigue existed in the part at the last inspection or how fast the fatigue crack was growing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA333 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 23, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Batesburg, South Carolina
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Stinson 108
- N-number
- N6020M
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1947
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.