# NTSB CHI91DEP11: English Pietenpol Aircamper, N14961, Brodhead, WI, July 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1991, 15:39 local (20:39 UTC)
- Place: Brodhead, WI
- Location: 42.6168° N, 89.3756° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Brodhead, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6168&lon=-89.3756&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEP11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEP11

## Probable cause

EROSION OF AN EXHAUST VALVE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - eroded (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE WAS POWERED BY A CONVERTED AUTOMOBILE ENGINE.  DURING A CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS & THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT.  HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT & THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN EXHAUST VALVE WAS ERODED & LEAKING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14961](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14961), registered now, S/N P101SE, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENGLISH PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER (PIETENPOL)
- Registry model: [English PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/english-pietenpol-aircamper) (registry code 7040304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Corvair GO-140](https://openairdocs.org/engine/corvair-go-140) (registry code 18001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: P101SE
- Engines: Corvair GO-140 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cary Francis Winch
- Registered owner: Cary Francis Winch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: C37, BRODHEAD, WI
- Destination: 79C, NECEDAH, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 100 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: JVL, 15 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 19910727030199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910727030199A), Jul 27, 1991: Amtrpl AIRCAMPER, Brodhead, WI, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Circled to land but stalled short of runway. Erroded and burned valve. Oil on igniter.

## Other investigations on N14961 (1)

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.

- [NTSB GAA19CA526](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA526), Sep 5, 2019: Pietenpol Pietenpol Aircamper (N14961), Glendo, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's overapplication of brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a noseover.

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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