N9016KStinson 108-1 · 1947

On November 18, 2011, about 1600 Pacific standard time, a Stinson 108-1, N9016K, ground looped while taxiing following landing on runway 27 at the Boulder City Municipal Airport, Boulder City, Nevada. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot had just purchased the airplane and he was en route home during the personal flight. The flight originated from Cedar City, Utah, about 1330.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel examined the airplane. The FAA personnel reported observing that the outboard right wing rib (inboard of the wing tip) was broken. Also a fuselage lower longeron was broken, and lower skin/frames were deformed/crushed where the right landing gear had separated from its attachment structure. Major structural repairs would be required to restore the airplane’s airworthiness.

During a telephone conversation with FAA inspectors, the pilot stated he was flying from Cedar City, Utah to Lake Havasu, Arizona. During the flight he decided to land at Boulder City (BVU) Nevada because he did not want to land in Bullhead City at night. It was windy that evening, AWOS stated winds at 190 degrees gusting at 18 to 27 knots. He landed on 27L at Boulder City airport. At the end of the runway he made a 180 degree turn to back-taxi to the intersection for the ramp.

During the back-taxi the aircraft veered to the right. The pilot applied the left brake but it did not have enough braking action to stop the turn to the right. He also applied left rudder control and increased power for more rudder authority. The aircraft departed the runway pavement on the right side and the right main gear leg folded under the fuselage and the nose dug into the dirt breaking the wooden propeller and the right wing tip contacted the ground.

FAA Inspectors examined the brake system, and found both the left and right, to be operational. No mechanical malfunctions were noted. Fluid was found in both master cylinder reservoirs. Pedal pressure was even, firm, and normal. When brake pedal pressure was applied both left and right calipers compressed against rotors and released normally.