# NTSB DFW06CA059: Pietenpol Aircamper, N13708, Lometa, TX, January 20, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 20, 2006, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Lometa, TX - Coordinates: 31.233333, -98.467224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2333&lon=-98.4672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 63155 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63155/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Contributing factors were the sun glare and the rough and uneven landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 3,200-hour private pilot of a single-engine tail-wheel-equipped experimental airplane was landing on a rough and uneven 2,900-foot by 50-foot wide grass runway at a private airstrip. The pilot reported that his vision became impaired by the glare of the sun during the touchdown sequence. The left main lading gear collapsed after it impacted a rock, resulting in structural damage to the airplane. No mechanical anomalies were reported with the engine or the flight controls. The pilot reported the wind was light and variable at the time of the accident. The pilot further reported that landing the airplane in the opposite direction (away from the sun) would have been an option. ## Factual narrative The 3,200-hour private pilot of a single-engine tail-wheel-equipped experimental airplane was landing on a rough and uneven 2,900-foot by 50-foot wide grass runway at a private airstrip. The pilot reported that his vision became impaired by the glare of the sun during the touchdown sequence. The left main lading gear collapsed after it impacted a rock, resulting in structural damage to the airplane. No mechanical anomalies were reported with the engine or the flight controls. The pilot reported the wind was light and variable at the time of the accident. The pilot further reported that landing the airplane in the opposite direction (away from the sun) would have been an option. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13708](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13708-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 305, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pietenpol Aircamper - Registry model: [Neyman Merle H PIETENPOL AIRCAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/neyman-merle-h-pietenpol-aircamper) (registry code 7040363) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 305 - Airframe hours: 1000 - Engines: Subaru E-81 70 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Merle Neyman - Registered owner: Doyle Combs - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2006 - Departed: 7ET3, Lometa, TX - Destination: Lometa, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 3,200 total, 700 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg ## 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 20060120000719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060120000719A), Jan 20, 2006: Amtr PIETENPOLAIR, Lometa, TX, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he took off from a farm strip, and his intention was to relocate the aircraft to another nearby farm strip. While landing, the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N13708 (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 CHI85FEP02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEP02), Jul 25, 1985: Neyman-Pietenpol GN-2 (N13708), Brodhead, WI, destroyed 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.