# NTSB CEN10CA109: Skistmas George Pietnpol Aircamper, N6186L, Toledo, OH, October 18, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 18, 2009, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Toledo, OH - Coordinates: 41.564998, -83.482223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5650&lon=-83.4822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- Cleveland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75309 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75309/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75309 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA109 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Skistmas George PIETNPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056222G), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Skistmas George PIETNPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056222G), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Skistmas George PIETNPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056222G), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Skistmas George PIETNPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056222G), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern at the time of the accident. He added that he had been dealing with "moderate turbulence from thermals and the shifting winds" during the flight. The pilot stated that the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline during the landing flare. He reported that, as the left main wheel touched down, a gust of wind from the right caused the airplane to depart the left side of the runway. He was "only able to maintain enough control to prevent a ground loop but not sufficient to avoid clipping the runway light with the horizontal stabilizer." A postaccident inspection revealed substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was conducting takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern at the time of the accident. He added that he had been dealing with "moderate turbulence from thermals and the shifting winds" during the flight. The pilot stated that the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline during the landing flare. As the left main wheel touched down, a gust of wind from the right caused the airplane to depart the left side of the runway. He was "only able to maintain enough control to prevent a ground loop but not sufficient to avoid clipping the runway light with the horizontal stabilizer." A post accident inspection revealed substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6186L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6186L), registered now, S/N 002, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SKISTMAS GEORGE PIETNPOL AIRCAMPER - Registry model: [Skistmas George PIETNPOL AIRCAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/skistmas-george-pietnpol-aircamper) (registry code 056222G) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A-65-8](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-65-8) (registry code 17329, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 002 - Airframe hours: 183 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Talon Aero LLC - Registered owner: Talon Aero LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2009 - Departed: TDZ, Toledo, OH - Destination: TDZ, Toledo, OH - Airport: TDZ, Metcalf Field, runway 22, 3,799 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 19, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 94 total, 10 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: TDZ, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20091018053459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091018053459A), Oct 18, 2009: Skistmas Ge PIETNPOL AI, Toledo, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting a right crosswind landing on runway 22. At touchdown, while on the left main landing gear, a wind gust lifted the right wing causing the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75309. 746 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 746 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.