Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that prior to landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he obtained the current weather at his destination airport, where the wind was reported as calm. During the landing, after touchdown, he felt a large wind gust push the airplane to the left. The airplane then veered left and departed the runway through a barbed wired fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the right elevator and fuselage.
The pilot confirmed that the right side rudder steering arm separated during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. At about the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 25, with the wind from 360° at 22 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA151 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 5, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Port Of Del Bonita, Montana
- Nearest airport
- Whetstone Intl (H28)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Stinson 108-3
- N-number
- N108RM
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1948
- 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.