# NTSB CHI93LA321: R.D. Bell/Pietenpol Aircamper, N194BB, Pontiac, MI, August 12, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 1993, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Pontiac, MI - Coordinates: 42.769145, -82.530632 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7691&lon=-82.5306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9280 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA321 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9280/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA321 ## Probable cause THE PILOT IN COMMAND NOT MAINTAINING A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING THE FINAL APPROACH AND LANDING FLARE PHASE OF FLIGHT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE PERFORMED A THREE POINT LANDING ON A HARD SURFACE RUNWAY ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. DURING THE INITIAL LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, THE PILOT CORRECTED WITH LEFT RUDDER. DURING THE AIRPLANE'S MOVEMENT TOWARD THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSE DUE TO A HARD LANDING. SHORTLY AFTER THE LANDING GEAR REPAIR, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A SECOND HARD LANDING. THE AIRPLANE LOGBOOK DID NOT SPECIFY IF THE LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY HAD COLLAPSED AFTER THE SECOND HARD LANDING. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 1993, at 1610 eastern daylight time, an R.D. Bell/Pietenpol Aircamper, N194BB, registered to Robert D. Bell of Rochester Hills, Michigan, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when its main landing gear collapsed upon touchdown onto Runway 9 Left (3,250' X 75' dry asphalt) at the Pontiac/Oakland Airport, Pontiac, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had not filed a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Lake City, Michigan, exact time unknown. According to the pilot's on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the airplane performed a three point landing. He stated the airplane started to drift to the right during the initial phase of the landing roll. He said he applied left rudder to get the airplane back on the runway centerline. During the airplane's return to the runway's center, the right landing gear collapsed. The on-scene investigation was conducted by Federal Aviation Administration Principle Maintenance Inspector (PMI). The PMI confirmed the right main landing gear collapse. He stated he did not observed any fatigue generated cracking on the assembly. The PMI's statement is appended to this report. The PMI stated the airplane had been involved in two previous hard landing events on July 22, 1988, and August 20, 1988. The July 22, event resulted in a collapsed right main landing gear. The logbook did not specify if the landing gear had collapsed as a result of the hard landing on August 20, 1988. Copies of the airplane logbook are appended to this report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N194BB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N194BB-2003-06-04), registration cancelled 2003-06-04, S/N 000001, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: R.D. BELL/PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER - Registry model: [Bell Robert D AIRCAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-robert-d-aircamper) (registry code 704039C) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 000001 - Airframe hours: 344 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert D. Bell - Registered owner: Robert D. Bell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1992, 13 hours before - Departed: Y91, LAKE CITY, MI - Airport: PTK, Oakland-Pontiac, runway 9, 3,251 × 75 ft, macadam ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 130 total, 38 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 14 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PTK, 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 19930812029189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930812029189A), Aug 12, 1993: Amtrpl AIRCAMPER, Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. Swerved after 3 point landing. Corrected opposite rudder. Right main collapsed. History of damage due hard landing. 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.