# NTSB ERA25LA077: Wolstenholme Dennis Pietenpol AIR Camper, N161DW, Tullahoma, TN, December 12, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 12, 2024, 11:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Tullahoma, TN - Coordinates: 35.38017, -86.239462 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3802&lon=-86.2395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199426 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199426/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199426 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA077 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to adequately secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine. Contributing was the pilot’s lack of training in hand-propping procedures. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Training: training with equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wolstenholme Dennis PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530/cases.md?model=056222U), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wolstenholme Dennis PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=056222U), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Wolstenholme Dennis PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=056222U), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Wolstenholme Dennis PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056222U), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had just finished fueling the airplane and was trying to start the engine. After several failed attempts to start the engine with the electric starter, the pilot decided to “hand prop” the engine. The pilot subsequently placed standard, low-profile general aviation wheel chocks under the wheels, but did not tie down or otherwise secure the airplane. Additionally, the pilot did not secure anyone to assist him and there was no qualified pilot seated in the airplane during his attempt to start the engine. As soon as the engine started, and the airplane’s wheels rolled over the chocks, and the airplane taxied into a closed hangar door, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings, and damaging the hangar doors. Following the accident, the pilot stated that he had not previously received any formal training for hand propping an airplane, but that a mechanic had shown him how to do it. He was not aware of recommended precautions like having a qualified and trained pilot at the controls or tying the airplane down. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N161DW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N161DW), registered now, S/N 787-393, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WOLSTENHOLME DENNIS PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER - Registry model: [Wolstenholme Dennis PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/wolstenholme-dennis-pietenpol-air-camper) (registry code 056222U) (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: 787-393 - Year built: 1993 - Airframe hours: 343 - Engines: Continental Motors C-85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 10, 2024, 22 hours before - Destination: KFYM, Fayetteville, TN - Airport: THA, Tullahoma Rgnl/Wm Northern Fld - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 8, 2023; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 356 total, 38 in this make and model, 304 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.44 inHg - Observed at: THA - METAR: KTHA 121735Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 06/M07 A3044 RMK A01 ## 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 20241212018729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241212018729A), Dec 12, 2024: Wolstenholme Dennis PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER, Tullahoma, TN, Substantial damage. The following was taken from the pilot’s written statement. The aircraft was parked and fueled at the ktha self-serve fuel station, where electric start… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199426. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18123412&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Form%206120.1%20-%20Buck_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 799 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18123309&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18134529&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Pilot%20Interview-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.