NTSB Factual Report

On September 27, 2001, about 1900 central daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N653C, piloted by an uncertificated pilot, sustained substantial damage during landing on runway 14 (3,050 feet by 75 feet, asphalt), at the Sky Harbor Airport, Duluth, Minnesota. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not on a flight plan and was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No injuries were reported by the pilot or his two passengers. The flight originated from the Aitkin Municipal-Steve Kurtz Field Airport at 1830.

The pilot said in his written statement, "I came from a nearby airport, Aitkin and came to land at Sky Harbor. Crosswinds are always an issue at Sky Harbor. On the end of the roll out, the plane went off runway on to sand. Although this is not uncommon, this sand was soft and the front tires sunk into the sand stopping the plane instantly. It went over...." The pilot also stated that the accident, "...could have been avoided by flying to superior to avoid this crosswind, or being better at landing in crosswinds."

According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot surendered his private pilot certificate on January 30,1996.

A weather station located about 10 miles from the accident site recorded the wind as 90 degrees at 9 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors were the crosswind and the soft terrain.