# NTSB CEN20CA191: Pietenpol Aircamper, N9863Z, Midland, MI, May 23, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2020, 17:49 local (21:49 UTC) - Place: Midland, MI - Coordinates: 43.663055, -84.26139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6631&lon=-84.2614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 101324 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101324/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101324 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA191 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control during an aborted 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: [James A Williams PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05634G1), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [James A Williams PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05634G1), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [James A Williams PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05634G1), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [James A Williams PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05634G1), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane "bounced twice" as he was attempting to land on the asphalt runway. He decided to execute a go-around and applied full engine power. However, the airplane "did not lift out of ground effect" and a wheel "caught the grass" causing a ground loop. The pilot noted that the accident might have been prevented by leveling off to allow the airspeed to increase before attempting to climb. He reported a variable wind at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane "bounced twice" as he was attempting to land on the asphalt runway. He decided to execute a go-around and applied full engine power. However, the airplane "did not lift out of ground effect" and a wheel "caught the grass" causing a ground loop. The pilot noted that the accident might have been prevented by leveling off to allow the airspeed to increase before attempting to climb. He reported a variable wind at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9863Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9863Z), registered now, S/N JW4352, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER - Registry model: [James A Williams PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/james-a-williams-pietenpol-aircamper) (registry code 05634G1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A-65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-65-series) (registry code 17324, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JW4352 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 152 - Engines: Continental Motors A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 31, 2019 - Departed: IKW, Midland, MI - Destination: IKW, Midland, MI - Airport: IKW, Jack Barstow, runway 06, 3,801 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 30, 2018; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 500 total, 152 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: IKW, 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 20200523001909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200523001909A), May 23, 2020: James A Williams PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER, Midland, MI, Substantial damage. On may 23, 2020 at 1756 local time, an experimental 2016 James a. williams Pietenpol Aircamper aircraft, N9863Z, registered to and operated by a private pilot,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101324. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 672 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484978&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 609 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484979&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20-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.