NTSB Factual Report

On September 2, 2018, about 0920 eastern daylight time, a Stinson 108, N4059C, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Indiana County Airport (IDI), Indiana, Pennsylvania. The student pilot incurred serious injuries and the flight instructor was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated around 0800. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the flight instructor, the student pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane with no anomalies noted. In addition, there was about 12.5 gallons of fuel in each tank, totaling 25 gallons. They departed the airport and used the right fuel tank for the beginning of the flight and switched to the left tank after about 35 minutes of air work outside the traffic pattern. They returned to the traffic pattern and performed about 5 landings and used full carburetor heat during each approach. During the initial climb of the last take off, the engine response was "normal" until about 300 ft above ground level. At that time, the engine "abruptly" lost total power. The flight instructor took the flight controls, pitched the airplane to maintain airspeed, and attempted to regain engine power. He turned the airplane toward a clearing, and the airplane struck trees prior to impacting the ground.

The airplane came to rest upright in high brush. The forward section of the fuselage was substantially damaged. Initial examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the engine mount was fractured in three places. In addition, crankshaft continuity was confirmed from the propeller hub to the accessory section of the engine. A fuel sample was taken from the wings and solid debris was noted in the fuel. In addition, fuel was noted in the gascolator and debris was noted in the sample.

The airplane was retained for further examination.