# NTSB ERA25LA183: Frank Lowell C Pietenpol, N497AR, Taylorsville, NC, April 18, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 18, 2025, 16:52 UTC - Place: Taylorsville, NC - Coordinates: 35.83353, -81.23142 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8335&lon=-81.2314&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - 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): 200052 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200052/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200052 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA183 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted go around in gusty tailwind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## 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: [Frank Lowell C PIETENPOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7040271), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Frank Lowell C PIETENPOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7040271), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Frank Lowell C PIETENPOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7040271), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Frank Lowell C PIETENPOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7040271), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Frank Lowell C PIETENPOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7040271), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the winds were calm during approach, but as the airplane arrived on final approach to land, the wind velocity increased significantly and changed direction. After feeling a strong tailwind, the pilot attempted to perform a go-around and turned the airplane to the right to avoid powerlines and trees. After leveling the airplane’s wings, and while at a height of about 20 ft above the ground, another tailwind gust struck the airplane and the right wing encountered an aerodynamic stall. The airplane’s right wing and nose subsequently impacted the ground before coming to rest in a nearly vertical attitude. The airplane’s wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N497AR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N497AR), registered now, S/N LCF2, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FRANK LOWELL C PIETENPOL - Registry model: [Frank Lowell C PIETENPOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/frank-lowell-c-pietenpol) (registry code 7040271) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Ford CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ford-conversion) (registry code 26701, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: LCF2 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 6731 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 26, 2024, 25.1 hours before - Departed: NC27, Lenoir, NC - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: PVT, Crossroads Grill Airstrip, runway 09, 1,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 13, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,926 total, 233 in this make and model, 3,926 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 14 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.24 inHg - Observed at: HKY, 9 nm away - METAR: KHKY 181653Z 21014G24KT 10SM CLR 23/07 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP223 T02280067 ## 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 20250418003889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250418003889A), Apr 18, 2025: Lowell C. Frank PIETENPOL, Taylorsville, NC, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted]Pilot of [privacy data omitted] departed NC27 with 1 pax on board. Approximately 16 miles southwest of NC 27, the pilot was attempting to… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200052. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18671769&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%27s%206120%20Accident%20Report_N497AR_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - witness interview summary (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18725285&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Kimberely%20Hefner%204%2022%202025_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - witness interview summary (second witness) (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18723185&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Matthew%20Hefner%204%2022%202025_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 283 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18725530&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_N497AR-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.