# NTSB CEN24LA132: Pietenpol Aircamper, N7710J, Lockhart, TX, March 6, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 6, 2024, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Lockhart, TX
- Coordinates: 29.85, -97.67 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8500&lon=-97.6700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- 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
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193913/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193913
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA132

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control during after takeoff.

## 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: [David N Boyd PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631LP), [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: [David N Boyd PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05631LP), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [David N Boyd PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05631LP), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [David N Boyd PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05631LP), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [David N Boyd PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05631LP), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [David N Boyd PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05631LP), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [David N Boyd PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05631LP), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [David N Boyd PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05631LP), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff from runway 18, the airplane moved laterally to the left. The pilot tried to correct by inputting right rudder and right aileron. The left wing rose abruptly, and the airplane crossed to the right side of the runway. The airplane lost lift and landed in the grass on the right side of the runway. The pilot attempted to stop, but the airplane slid into a drainage ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported swirling wind contributed to the loss of control. The reported wind at an airport 10 miles northwest was 150° at 6 kts.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7710J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7710J), registered now, S/N 001, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER (NO SERIES EXISTS)
- Registry model: [David N Boyd PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/david-n-boyd-pietenpol-air-camper) (registry code 05631LP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A-65-3](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-65-3) (registry code 17325, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Year built: 2012
- Airframe hours: 288.5
- Engines: Continental A-65-3 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, May 17, 2023
- Departed: 50R, Lockhart, TX
- Airport: 50R, Lockhart Municipal, runway 18, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 23, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,070 total, 288 in this make and model, 7,663 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: KHYI, 10 nm away
- METAR: KHYI 061856Z 15006KT 10SM CLR 26/18 A2990

## 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 20240306001609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240306001609A), Mar 6, 2024: David N Boyd PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, Lockhart, TX, Substantial damage. On March 6, 2024, 1300 CDT, aircraft [privacy data omitted]was performing touch-and-go operations at Lockhart Municipal Airport (50R). During southerly…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 29, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193913. 2.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16882105&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=New%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 885 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16882299&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.

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