# NTSB CEN23LA313: Pietenpol Aircamper, N34KP, Gardner, KS, July 19, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 19, 2023, 06:15 local (11:15 UTC) - Place: Gardner, KS · Active construction site. - Coordinates: 38.79798, -94.9412 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7980&lon=-94.9412&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 192661 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA313 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192661/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192661 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA313 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to lead fouling of a spark plug. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: spark plugs/igniters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Perkins Kenneth E PIETENPOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421/cases.md?model=05607LD), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057421/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Perkins Kenneth E PIETENPOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05607LD), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Perkins Kenneth E PIETENPOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05607LD), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the engine started to run rough. The pilot reversed course back toward the departure airport when the roughness increased and then the engine lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. An examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder spark plug’s firing end contained hard, cinder-like deposits, consistent with lead fouling. When tested, the No. 3 cylinder spark plug did not spark; however, after it was cleaned, the spark plug functioned normally. No other mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he used 100LL aviation fuel in the engine. It is likely that the loss of power was due to the lead fouling on the No. 3 cylinder spark plug. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 2023, about 0615 central daylight time, an Pietenpol Aircamper airplane, N34KP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gardner, Kansas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the engine started “missing” on one cylinder. The pilot reversed course back toward Gardner Municipal Airport (K34), Gardner, Kansas. The airplane was initially able to maintain altitude; however, as he approached the airport, the airplane began to descend. The engine ran rough and then lost all power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a construction site; the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. A witness reported that he heard the airplane’s engine “cutting out” as the airplane descended to the field and then nosed over after landing. The airplane was equipped with an in-line, four-cylinder, liquid cooled Ford Model A engine with an owner-fabricated, electronic-type ignition system. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder spark plug did not produce spark during field test with a Champion spark plug service unit cleaner and tester. Further examination revealed the No. 3 cylinder spark plug’s firing end contained hard cinder-like deposits, consistent with lead fouling when compared to the Champion Aviation Service Manual AV6-R. The spark plug functioned normally after its firing end was cleaned of the deposits. The other three spark plugs exhibited various degrees of lead deposits, but functioned when tested. The pilot reported that he used 100LL aviation fuel in the engine. Review of the engine logbooks revealed that the spark plugs were replaced during the last condition inspection and had accrued about 18.7 hours of service. There were no other preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34KP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34KP), registered now, S/N 6, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER - Registry model: [Perkins Kenneth E PIETENPOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/perkins-kenneth-e-pietenpol) (registry code 05607LD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Ford CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ford-conversion) (registry code 26701, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 340.7 - Engines: Ford Conversion / Model A 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 14, 2022, 18.7 hours before - Departed: K34, Gardner, KS - Destination: C37, Brodhead, WI - Airport: K34, Gardner Municipal Airport, runway 08, 2,399 × 36 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; last flight review July 10, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 780 total, 171 in this make and model, 734 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KIXD, 3 nm away - METAR: KIXD 191059Z 07006KT 10SM CLR 22/21 A2992 RMK AO2 T02220211 ## 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 20230719012109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230719012109A), Jul 19, 2023: Perkins Kenneth E PIETENPOL, Gardner, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot departed K34 for C37, bordhead, WI. Climbed to approximatly 1000 ft AGL and headed south to avoid ixd airspace. After clearing ixd airspace the pilot… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192661. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120 1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17280079&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%201%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB summary of examinations (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17293393&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Summary%20of%20Examinations_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe logbook (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17291168&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine logbook (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17291413&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Logbook_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statement (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17290002&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17289216&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Champion aviation service manual AV6 r (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17293104&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Champion%20Aviation%20Service%20Manual%20AV6%20R-Rel.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.